Nyajock Pajok Kong
August 8, 1999 – July 28, 2025
It is with deep sadness, and in the name of our Lord Jesus, that Bibiana Nyaben Koang and Stephen Pajok Kong announce the passing of their first child, their beloved daughter, Nyajock Pajok Kong, who passed away on July 28, 2025, at Presbyterian Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn, New York, following a tragic accident. She was 25 years old.
Nyajock was born on Sunday, August 8, 1999, in Fugnido Refugee Camp in Gambella, Western Ethiopia. She grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska, where she graduated from Lincoln High School before attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, College of Business. In 2017, Nyajock moved to Los Angeles, California, to pursue her dream of modeling. Known professionally as Nya Kong, her career flourished, and she was featured in style magazines, campaigns, and advertisements across the United States and abroad. Her work appeared in Paper Magazine in 2019 and 2020; the video is available for your viewing at https://vimeo.com/343459810?fl=pl&fe=sh She was also featured in an article titled “In with the old” in Cosmopolitan UK, published on April 30, 2020, and other international publications. Her modeling journey took her to London, Paris, Chicago, New York City, and many major cities around the world.
Nyajock was known for her vibrant spirit and infectious laughter. She loved basketball and track, carrying with her a lifelong passion for sports and the community she found in them. She also loved to sing, teach the Bible, and engage in activism, music, and art. Traveling was another joy in her life, from road trips between Lincoln, Los Angeles, and New York City, to vacations in Spain, to a cherished year living in Chicago. Outgoing, kind, intelligent, and funny, Nyajock was never shy about asking hard questions and speaking truth with honesty and respect.
She is survived by her loving parents, Stephen Pajok Kong and Bibiana Nyaben Koang; her siblings Nyayien, Bey, Jal, Kueth, Nyakol, Emman, Hadiyah, Peter, and Thedayu; and many extended family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her uncle, Puok Kong Kulang.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at 10:00 AM, at Eastridge Presbyterian Church, 1135 Eastridge Drive, Lincoln, Nebraska. Interment will follow at 11:15 AM, at Wyuka Cemetery, 3600 “O” Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.
Gone too soon but never forgotten, Nyajock’s kindness, creativity, and love for her family will be remembered by all who knew her.
So very sorry for this tragic loss of a beautiful and talented young woman. My condolences to her parents, siblings, and community.
“Another Lincoln High Job Well Done.”
She was so beautiful inside and out.
It is so painful and tragic that a gifted and talented child born with a Star has passed. What an early Sunset.
Tragedy doesn’t care about sorrow and the devil is not remorseful for snatching our loved ones.
May the good Lord give BB the strength to heal her broken heart in Jesus name.
Please accept my deepest sympathies and condolences
May the good Lord continue to comfort us in this time of loss. Gone too soon, dear baby cousin sister. You will always remain in our hearts.
It’s very sad indeed to lose her in our family 😭.
My condolences go entirely to family of Stephen Pajock Kong and Nyaben Koang. It was a great loss to all of us.
May God’s mercy inspire you and comfort you for this difficult time. Therefore, God’s has taken and given. May God’s efforts continue to strengthen you both Stephen Pajock and nyaben Kong and all siblings.
I met Nyajock at Lincoln high school when she came in as a freshman. She was so kind and outgoing and PE class was always a blast with her and Nyalit. She grew into the most beautiful young woman and it breaks my heart to hear the news of her passing. The last time we spoke, she asked me about the college I attended and what I could recommend for her as she was in the process of choosing a college. This was her senior year of high school. It is crazy to me to think that this would be our last major interaction. I always made sure to lift her up when I seen the amazing modeling portfolio she was building for herself. She is truly a one of a kind beauty. She will be missed by many. I send love to her close friends and family that mourn the loss of a beautiful young woman but her soul will remain with you all. Forever tethered by love and the memories you share.
The first day Nya walked into my 9th grade English class, I immediately knew I had to recruit her to jump for me on the T & F team. She had no clue what she was capable of doing, but trusted me to guide her into triple jumping and finished 2nd in her first JV meet. That was the last time she ever jumped at the lower level as she quickly ascended to be one of the best jumpers in the state. “NyaKay” (as I affectionately referred to her as) also attended Fellowship of Christian Athletes where she also grew in her faith in Jesus Christ. To experience her intellectually, physically and spiritually was a true joy of mine, one that I will remember until the end of time. It’s my prayer that these few words provide joy in knowing that your precious one was impactful in the many areas of life she navigated and I, for one, am grateful to have been a small part of it. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:12