Gerry , I know not where to begin. I have tried to stop the tears to no avail, yet after a second thought I’ve asked myself; What is it that you didn’t do or achieve. I praise God for your courage, determination, zeal, faith and love for family and humanity.

There are few people who know how to hustle in a strange environment, in a place of darkness, in a place of hatred, jealousy, in a place of no love. You have the stamina to face it all. You have been a Go – Getter. There is no stop to your ambition. I will miss all of that. Hello, Gerry, you have made it!

Gerry you have proven to the world that achievement does not depend on the level of education or the highest diploma in the world. You have shown us that one’s zeal for a target is paramount in spite of the obstacles on the way.

Oh I remember how you went to buy lemons at a farm in one of the villages at the outskirts of Yaoundé. This farmer had over 12 dogs among which were four German Shepherds. He set them loose at you. OMG! You stood your grounds and the dogs were amazed. You had recounted to me that all you could remember was “I am covered by the blood of Jesus!” You kept repeating that line. The dogs made a halt five steps away from you. Then the farmer appeared and invited you to his home. He commended you for your faith. I hope you took along that faith and pronounced those words at the moment of departure from this world.

Yes, I can’t imagine how you kept going in this country where those who have been put on deportation do not dare. You were so positive. You told me how you were no criminal and would therefore not be afraid to invest. I can’t believe you made it with a tire shop and two dump trucks. At the time I thought you would start living a comfortable life, that is when your time was up.

I agree that you had a sense of humor that kept you going.  Fun was what characterized your concept of life. In the heart of difficulties, you would ask that "trouble go leave you go see stick?" This time the trouble actually knocked on your door in a very horrid way. Yet let "Hell break loose" to quote my elder husnband, " we will continue to hang on to the Cross of Christ!" Take your faith and a spice of your  humor along with you, it will open the Gate of Heaven for you.  

I thank God for your life.  I praise God for the time we shared. We will always remember your smiles, your laughter, your sense of commitment and undying love for your siblings and friends. Good Bye My lil bro.

LIFE STORY OF GERRY SHU AMBE :

SUNRISE 5/28/1973 SUN SET 8/8/2016

The story of Gerry has come to an abrupt end yet so full of adventures, fun memories and the practical life of a ‘debrouiller” as the French man will put it.

Gerry came into the brightness of this world on May 28, 1973. He grew up strong, fascinated by the beauty of nature and all that it offers. One of his best past time was soccer. At the age of three, he wouldn’t let anything stand his way that can be kicked. He made his own balls, founded his own team any moment he needed to spend the time out there strengthening his legs. He wasn’t afraid at a very young age to play with adults. He played soccer with the military at the age of eleven, barefooted while the men played with military boots on.

Gerry went through primary school at Bamenda Station in the North West region of Cameroon. He dropped formal education in the fourth year of secondary schooling and took to business, a career he loved and will later on wriggled throughout life to establish.

Gerry was a Christian at heart. He grew up as a presbyter of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon. He was baptized and confirmed at the PCC in Up Station. He has contributed enormously in churches wherever he worshipped. PC Nsimeyong knew him as “Le petrolier” when the church structure was in its budding stage. He made a lot of jokes and that was one. He said he was rich like those who harnessed petroleum because he sold gasoline at the Black market and therefore a rich man.  He often talked about giving back and just last year he started giving back to his home church, PC Station,  in a special way. His posted prayers from his favorite preacher every day on his web page on Face Book and trusted God for his life and all that he did.

While at a very young age, Gerry had taught himself how to serve money. When he went to secondary school, he was on a weekly allowance. At the end of the month, we will find out he still has all the money given to him to help facilitate his learning- transportation and feeding. His business inclination was quite visible at that young age. When he dropped out from school. He had little capital to begin with.  He started buying and selling items between Bamenda and Yaoundé. He would travel overnight to Yaoundé, then pick up the next trip to farms in the surrounding villages in the Centre Province to buy lemons directly from orchards, so he did the harvesting himself. He would return to sell in Bamenda. The business slowed down with the seasons. He turned to selling palm oil in the Bamenda market. That also slowed down. He returned to Yaoundé and joined the Black market in selling gasoline. He made quite a fortune in that. That is when he saw himself growing into a full-fledged businessman, yet as he himself commented one day, the money from that business is like touching the gasoline itself, it evaporates. However, when he met with disapproval about the risk involved in such business, he would dismiss that very quickly, responding that there is risk in every business. It was in the course of this business adventure that God projected him to another level as he got a visa in 2002 to travel to the USA. Since then, he had been in Atlanta, Georgia pursuing the American Dream.

His arrival to the US marked another turning point in his life. He found it hard establishing his feet with no paper work but he never gave up. Gerry was a fighter, a Go-Getter with a strong faith. He envisaged his projects with clear objectives so he always worked towards particular goals. He had worked as a patient care or home health Aide, painter, home remodeling, tire repairer to owning his own tire shop and dump trucking business. He never stopped dreaming about the future. He was looking forward to obtaining his third truck by the end of the year. Even without papers, he was determined to get a home to fulfill his American dream. The cold hands of death never allowed him to accomplish that but God has used him to accomplish much for his society. His dream will not die.

As a business man, Gerry was also a social freak. He had lots of friends- those in his football club, business friends, school mates and neighborhood friends. Wherever he was, he left a positive impression. So many people know Gerry because he is a very industrious young man and a very funny person, so he can’t be missed in every gathering. He had a very open hand and an open door policy. He shared, welcome friends and celebrated life with friends and family.

Gerry never married but he has a daughter who has also given him a grandson, all living in Yaoundé, Cameroon. He leaves behind his brothers and sisters, cousins, nephews and nieces, aunts and lots of friends to keep his flame burning.