ACK St Peter's Cathedral Church, Nyeri

Sunrise: 23 September 1941 Sunset: 19 May 2023 Fare thee well Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 Eulogy of the Late Mr. Julius Macharia (Wakili) Birth: The late Julius Macharia was born on 23rd September 1941 to the late Herman Mwangi Gachie and the late Monica Mbaire Herman of Kahuhia, Muranga County. His siblings were the late Reginald Gachie, Grace Muguru Githinji. George Kamau. Margaret Muthoni Githirwa, Jennifer Njeri Irungu and the late Benson Manyeki. Education: Julius' education started at Gatitu-ini Primary School, now known as Kahuhia Primary School then known as Gatitu-ini Primary School where he took the Kenya African Preliminary Education exam (KAPE) in 1959. Thereafter he was admitted to Kagumo High School in 1960 where he took O'Level exams in 1963 and passed with flying colors. Subsequently, he went on to study Advanced Level education at Kangaru School Embu from 1964 to 1965, where he once again performed brilliantly in History, English Literature, and Geography. So good was his performance, he was recognized by The Commonwealth for his exemplary grade in History. This was indeed evidence of his love for History, which he eagerly gave narratives about and graphically remembered years of worldwide events in the subject. Though his dream had always been to study Accounting and had dreamt of being a banker, fate would have it that he ended up studying and graduating with a Bachelor of Law degree at the University of Dar-es-salaam in 1967 to 1969. Profession: Julius began his work life at Balisharma & Balisharma Advocates in 1969 where he undertook his pupilage. He went on to begin his law practice in 1970 when he opened J. Macharia & Company Advocates in Nyeri Town. He quickly gained repute as a competent Advocate, and many are the trips he took all over the nation of Kenya to this end. In 1981, he began his service for the Government of Kenya as a Resident Magistrate at the Kisumu Law Courts and Embu Law Courts in 1983. In August of 1984, he joined the then Nairobi City Commission as a Legal Counsel and rose the ranks to become the Chief Litigation Officer. He then joined Nyahururu Municipal Council in 1988 as the Town Clerk, a position he held until his retirement, after which he resumed his private practice in both Nyahururu and Nyeri until he was well into his seventies. Marriage and Family Life: The late Julius met his beloved wife, Grace Wanjiru Macharia and got married on 3rd October 1970 at a church wedding ceremony held at P.C.E.A. Tumutumu Church. They were blessed with 4 children, Eunice Wangari Wambua, Monica Wambaire Kung'u, Cris Mwangi Macharia, and the late Johnstone Gikandi Macharia. Julius was the father-in-law to Kitheka Wambua, Samuel Kihara Kung'u, and Joan Njeri Mwangi. Also, he was blessed with 7 grandchildren, Tevin Wambua, Roy Macharia, Malcolm Macharia, Wema Wanjiru. Beth-el Kung'u, Peni-el Kung'u, and Isra-el Kung'u. Christian Life: The late Julius was a devout and born again Christian and served God in church all of the adult years of his life. He developed a love for the piano while in primary school as there was a teacher in Kahuhia Girls, Mwalimu Ngumba, who owned a piano and a missionary known as Hooper who taught them a hymn. So impressed upon was he by this that when he joined Kagumo High School and found a piano, he instantly was attracted to it. His music teacher, Mr. Kang'ori, quickly noticed this intense interest in Julius and happily taught him how to play this musical instrument. This was the beginning of a lifetime journey of a talent that he consistently served God with for all of his adult years. Julius served as a Choir Director and Pianist at A.C.K St. Peter's Cathedral Nyeri, A.C.K St. Stephen's Church Kisumu, A.C.K St. Paul's Cathedral Embu, A.C.K St. James and All Martyrs Cathedral Murang'a, Loresho Community Church Nairobi. Christ the King Cathedral Nyahururu, and A.C.K St. Francis Oljoro orok. A great highlight in his service to God as a Choir Director and Pianist was his involvement in the Gikuyu Hymn Book Revision. The Gikuyu Hymn Book Revision General Committee, chaired by Very Reverend John Gatu tasked the Technical Committee under the chairmanship of Mr. Eliud Kiarie to translate popular English hymns into the Gikuyu language. Due to his music experience and expertise in the Gikuyu Language, the late Julius was one of those asked to join this team and was actively and passionately involved in the process that birthed the Revised Edition of the popular Gikuyu hymnbook. Nyimbo Cia Kuinira Ngai, a hymnbook commonly and widely used today in many Gikuyu conducted congregations around the world.