00:00We talk a lot about how this place is like a family, and this morning we have some heartbreaking news about someone who is very dear to us here at Today.
00:09So let's take a deep breath. With profound sadness, we share this morning that Uche Oje, the husband of our dear friend and today co-host Chanel Jones, has passed away after a courageous battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer called glioblastoma.
00:25There are no words for the pain that we feel for Chanel and their three young children. Uche was an incredible person. We all loved him.
00:35And so we want to take a moment to tell you more about the remarkable man who was Chanel's perfect partner in life.
00:43Those of us who work alongside Chanel every day know her infectious laugh and that brilliant smile that lights up our studio every morning.
00:52A light that would grow even brighter every time she spoke about her husband of 17 years, Uche.
01:00He was her perfect match.
01:03A man whose joyful spirit and quiet strength complimented Chanel in every way.
01:09Their love story began at Northwestern University in the late 90s when Chanel, then a freshman, offered to show the visiting high school senior around campus.
01:19After eight years of dating, Uche proposed on their alma mater's campus in the middle of a rainstorm.
01:26The couple married in 2007 in Chanel's hometown of Philadelphia.
01:33And went on to welcome three children.
01:36First, Kyan, and then twins, Clara and little Uche.
01:39Over the years, Uche built a successful career in consulting, but family, friends, and his deep and abiding faith were always his true north.
01:50He was an enthusiastic soccer player, sang at his church choir, and was devoted to his Nigerian heritage, instilling in their children a deep connection to their cultural roots.
02:02Two years ago, when Chanel completed her first marathon, Uche was there at the finish line, his pride evident in his beaming smile.
02:13Just as she cheered him on when he completed a triathlon.
02:17Little moments that captured the essence of their partnership, celebrating each other's victories, big and small.
02:24Uche was the kind of person who brought light, warmth, and joy to every room.
02:32Today, with heavy hearts, we celebrate his life.
02:36Devoted husband, loving father.
02:43And a man whose generosity of spirit touched all who knew him.
02:48Well, we just want to say, Chanel, Kyan, little Uche, and Clara, and the OJ family, we are with you.
02:59We love you.
03:00You are our family.
03:01And we're just sending all of our love to you right now.
03:04You were really good friends with Uche.
03:06Yeah.
03:07You know, the last time we played golf together last fall, we had a number of conversations about, you know, just life in general.
03:14And one thing he always talked about, he talked about those kids.
03:18He loved those kids more than anything else in this world and was just so proud of his kids.
03:26He was that dad that was on the sideline at every soccer game.
03:30He was at all of the concerts and the recitals.
03:33He was that guy.
03:35And they have such a beautiful love story.
03:37We all know, and it's fun.
03:39And we've reflected recently about it.
03:41They met, I mean, they were kids.
03:42She was 19, and he was 17, and she gave him a tour at college.
03:47And then they started dating.
03:49And, you know, he was by her side and stood by her.
03:52And she was living in little towns, working on the news.
03:54And she'd drive up to Chicago and see him on the weekends.
03:57They had a beautiful love story and true partners in life.
04:01He was this private guy, but he was wickedly funny.
04:05Yes, you know, just that he would say things that kind of caught you off guard, but wasn't braggadocious or anything.
04:14He was a very humble man.
04:15And gentlemen, I mean, Chanel has been so strong through all of this, as was Uche, very, very strong.
04:22You know, we all know Chanel, she's always smiling.
04:25She's just the bright light whenever she walks into the room.
04:27Even through this, you know, she relied on her faith.
04:31She relied on her friends.
04:32And I think back to COVID when they, as a family, were in South Carolina together.
04:39Like they had this special just time of their life to just all be together, because that was the most important thing to each and every one of them.
04:47And, you know, she has her humor.
04:50I mean, we all know that there's nobody funnier than Chanelie.
04:54And that humor, like she's found the grace in the grief, which is not easy.
05:00But I know we've all, when we've spoken to her, just been completely inspired.
05:04What has been remarkable also is watching the way with which she has dealt with this.
05:10Dealing with a husband who's battling cancer and three young children that she has had to rear by herself for a while now, essentially.
05:18It's just, it really is, it's remarkable.
05:20And every, to your point, J.B.H., every time you would talk to her, she still found a way to laugh about something.
05:24And ask about us.
05:25Yes.
05:26Oh, yeah.
05:26And if there's any silver lining, it was that we got to know his family, you know, and his brothers and his sister coming through and his parents and, you know, their family.
05:38Listen, Uche has so many friends, college friends, friends from their time in Philadelphia.
05:42Those friends have surrounded the family during this time.
05:47And Chanel is a warrior.
05:49And Uche was a warrior.
05:51And they have been incredible how she has risen to the occasion and then some.
05:55Yeah, I can't help but think about my own life in this situation.
05:59You think so much about these young children.
06:01You know, your heart goes out to them.
06:03My father was 46.
06:04I was five when my dad died.
06:06My dad was young.
06:07Unexpected cancer diagnosis passed.
06:10And I think back now, 45 years later, my faith in God.
06:13I mean, God has blessed me and my life.
06:15Here it is.
06:16So here I am, you know, the young kid.
06:17And I say eventually God gave me two incredible fathers, incredible figures in my life.
06:23And my life has been so fulfilling.
06:25And I'm so blessed for that.
06:26So I pray for their family and the kids that they'll have that fortune as well.
06:31It's a good message for the kids.
06:32This is not easy for children.
06:34No.
06:35Yeah.
06:36You can survive the loss of your father as young people as we did.
06:42And thrive.
06:42Not only that.
06:43And I've said that to Chanel.
06:45I've said, honey.
06:45They have such great faith.
06:46They have.
06:47But at the moment, it's tough.
06:49It's tough.
06:51Yeah.
06:51I'm glad.
06:52I mean, Uche, I think he would want people to know how much his faith.
06:56I've been praying for years to my father in heaven since he died.
06:58I say, I hope you know.
06:59I know you're watching over me.
07:01Like, I'm okay.
07:02It's okay.
07:03Yeah.
07:03You're home where you're supposed to be with your heavenly father.
07:05And I'm thriving here.
07:07And it's okay.
07:09Trying to take that burden off my father.
07:10Uche had a beautiful, deep, abiding faith every single day of this fight.
07:17And you could see it in his eyes.
07:19He was an extraordinary person.
07:21We love him.
07:21And we love you, Chanel.
07:22We are with you.
07:23We love you.
07:25We are back with more of today.
07:27Right after this.
07:28Hey, thanks for watching.
07:43And don't forget, you can catch the Today Show every morning on NBC or take Today when you're on the go.
07:49Just follow the Today Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.
