"....But if life is the creation of a benevolent God, the infusion of the Divine breath; if man is not only higher than the animal, but also "a little lower than the angels"; if he has a soul, as well as a body; if his relationship is not only the "I-it" of man and nature, but the "I-Thou" of creature with Creator; and if he tempers his passions with the moral commands of an eternal, transcendent God--then death is a return to the Creator at the time of death set by the Creator, and life-after-death the only way of a just and merciful and ethical God. If life has any significance, if it is not mere happenstance, then man knows that someday his body will be replaced, even as his soul unites with eternal God........"
....Excerpted from "The meaning of Death" by Rabbi Maurice Lamm.
Yet another member of the class of 1984 snatched away from us! The venerable and quiet gentleman, a devoted father, husband, brother, friend, and always affable Mr. Jackson Fonocho Atanga has ended his earthly journey far too soon! It is agonizingly painful to experience yet another loss of this magnitude. It forces one to once again examine one's own mortality; I was not even aware my friend had been ill.
To know Fonocho was to love him. We entered PSS at the same time in September 1979. We happened to be in the same dormitory- B1. He was a soft-spoken, quiet, yet determined and confident young man. He had a down-to-earth demeanor, which cleverly concealed a giant intellect. It was probably all these qualities which made me gravitate towards him. We became fast friends. The fact that we also lived in Ntarinkon quarters in Bamenda made it much easier to foster a friendship. We would spend not just our school days but even holidays hanging out together.
In class, Jackson was an exemplary student, very studious, excelled in the sciences especially Math and Physics. When we completed our A Levels in CCAST Bambili, Jack was awarded a full scholarship by the Cameroon government to pursue further studies in England. Upon completing his studies in the UK, Jack finally emigrated to the United States. He was equally as competitive in sports- Jack was a fierce volleyball player. As we moved from one class to the next, a strong bond developed between Jackson and his contemporaries-there was Emmanuel Ozimba, Mbah Farley, Che Philip, Anye Pascal, Kimeng Henry, Konneh Derrick, Nkangwen Ian, Njah Jonathan, Nelson Mosi, Waji Durrell & this writer; the ladies- Edith Abam, Limen Gladys, Bih Atia, Jackie Batcha, Ndaka Flora, the late Princess Angwi Mandi Anyangwe, Njiwam Anyangwe, Helen Oyebog, Kisob Yvonne, Ndang Mildred just to name a few. He was a friend to all of us and he is already being missed more than any of us can truly express.
Fonocho was quite the generous type; he always seemed to have an abundance of "goodies"- snacks such as "cabin biscuits", fried groundnuts and corn, garri, Nido, sugar, etc at critical times in the semester when other students had depleted their stock. He had no reservations about sharing all these with his fellow dorm members.
As I reminisce about our time together, I always seem to go back to a particular incident in PSS which helped crystallize my impression of Jack as man of impeccable character and trustworthiness. When we were in Form 4, some of us were made assistant prefects to assist the senior form 5 students who had started preparing for the GCE O' Level exams. The Principal (late Pa Memoh) appointed Jack as assistant prefect in charge of Education. He was responsible for appointing prep sergeants to supervise night studies. One evening, Jack appointed this writer to form 2A at the time, a rather rowdy and rambunctious class. As soon as I sat down at the beginning of prep, I started taking down the names of any student who uttered a sound during prep. I jotted some names down twice, even three times. At the end of prep that night, I turned in the names to Jack, who would then compile a master sheet to be used in handing out punishments after inspection on Saturdays. There were 2 students whose names had been written numerous times on the list; they immediately approached me after prep was over on the way back to the dorms. They flashed two shiny, newly-minted 500 frs CFA coins and asked me to take their names off the list in exchange for the money. I immediately acquiesced and went looking for Jack. I gave him his own 500 frs CFA coin and asked that the two fellows' names be stricken off the list. Jack looked at me with an expression of distaste or displeasure or disappointment like I had never experienced before, and in a firm voice, said "No, Edwin, go and give their money back!" I sheepishly went back and returned the money. I have often reminded Jack of this incident and we have laughed about it a lot; but this incident clearly left an indelible mark, and has remained with me as a reminder of how truly honest and incorruptible Jackson was even at that young age!
PSS Mankon has lost yet another illustrious son. PEMEXA has lost a wonderful and distinguished member.
Well, Fonocho, off you go my friend! To meet God your maker and also your late Dad, Mr. Elias Atanga who will surely embrace you and say: "Well done Son! You fought the good fight!"
To Doris, the children, Elise and Siga and all of the Atanga family, all I can come up with is the following quote from Washington Irving: - "There is a sacredness in tears....they are not the mark of weakness but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief.... And unspeakable love ....". May the good Lord grant you the grace and strength especially during these difficult moments.
When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure. We will treasure Jack's memory forever and ever and ever.
Edwin Sama Tita.
Friend and member of class of 1984.