Caleb Toko

Father's Statement - Orman Lee D Toko

We are deeply heartbroken over the passing of our beloved son, Caleb Malachi Orman Toko, 16, born on August 22, 2009. Caleb was full of life, kindness, and potential, with so many dreams ahead of him. He aspired to become a Chef, following in the footsteps of his great-grandfather of Republic of Congo descent, and also hoped to start his own clothing business, along with countless other ideas he was passionate about.

Caleb was a dedicated student-athlete at Manual High School, where he was a junior looking forward to his senior year. He played on the basketball team, earned his letter in track and field, competed in AAU basketball during the summers, and worked a variety of summer jobs. Along with athletics, Caleb also excelled academically-he was taking college courses at Western Colorado University and had recently been accepted at Community College of Denver for a business course, earning college credits while still in high school.

Above all, what mattered most was Caleb's love for the Lord Jesus Christ. At the age of 12, after a personal encounter with the Lord, he gave his life to Him and chose to walk as a young Christian. He was baptized by his late grandfather, Pastor Etienne Joseph Toko, and like many believers, he also experienced the trials that come with serving the Lord. Yet Caleb remained steadfast in his faith, trusting God through every season of his young life.

As a family, we shared many unforgettable spring and summer breaks traveling to various states, enjoying nature trips, joining church youth outings together, and spending treasured moments that we will hold in our hearts forever.

While this is a very hard time for us as a family-and Caleb can never be replaced, nor can the void in our hearts be filled-we take comfort in God's Word: "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" (2 Corinthians 5:1). And we believe His promise that "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:8). Because of Caleb's decision to give his life to Jesus Christ, we know he is in a far better place and has gone on to meet his late grandfather, Etienne Joseph Toko, in the presence of the Lord.

Father's side: Caleb is survived by his father, Orman Lee D. Toko, stepmother Tiana Toko, brother Joshua Toko, sister Elianna Toko, grandmother Flore Toko, and numerous uncles, aunts, cousins, and extended family both here and in the Republic of the Congo, Brazzaville, where his father's family originates.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mother's statement

CALEB MALACHI ORMAN TOKO

Caleb Malachi Orman Toko, 16, was shot and killed early Saturday, September 20, 2025, in Green Valley Ranch, Denver, Colorado. His family is devasted at the loss of this bright young man who was full of life and had so much ahead of him.

Caleb was born August 22, 2009, to Lee Toko and Jade (Clifford) Toko in Thornton, Colorado. He attended University Preparatory School for kindergarten through 5th grade and Manual Middle School. He was a junior student-athlete at Manual High School at the time of his death. He played on the basketball team, earned his letter in track, competed in AAU basketball during the summers and worked a variety of summer jobs. Caleb was also taking college classes through Colorado Early College and was on course to earn his associates degree when he would have graduated from high school in 2027.

Caleb and his family shared many unforgettable times together camping, attending sporting events, playing video games and traveling. He loved to cook, which he learned from his stepfather, Adam, and loved to bake with his grandmother, Mona. He loved his family and was especially close with his sisters and brothers.

Caleb is survived by his mother Jade and stepfather Adam Lehman, his father, Lee Toko and stepmother Tiana Toko; siblings Jaylah Lehman, Terrence Lehman, LT Lehman, Tiger Hurst, Joshua Toko and Elianna Toko; grandparents Bob and Mona Neeley Clifford, Larry and Tricia Lehman and Flore Toko; uncles Zach Clifford, Marrion Toko and Shalom Toko; aunts Katie Lehman, Ariel Toko and Sephora Toko; numerous cousins and extended family. He is preceded in death by his grandfather Etienne Toko