James Tabot Ashu - Online Memorial Website

T
    Nkwane
           Honey

 Friend
     Lover
         Love of my youth

 Teacher
      Scientist
          Coach

Curriculum
    Standard/Mirror
        Life/Eyes

Admirer
     Provider
         Defender/Shield

Caring father
     Charming Leader
          Cozy Companion

“T”, when I look back, I see the last few months we’ve shared. I remember you would say “naatin you are flattering me, I’m just a bush Bachuo boy”. You are a rare Gem.
 

 A rare Gem? Your challenges produced a cool headed and loving, listener. Your words and tack carried wisdom. You always willingly backed down and tried to be a peacemaker. This enabled you to have a long telephone directory as you always meditated upon and selected your words.
 

 You soared beyond all limits and made yourself useful to your generation. You still had a lot to put out there. We had plans to write together. But alas…!
 

 “Ngone, Tabotsi Danger has become Tabotsi Delicate.” You said.
 

 “Hahaha that’s true it will be alright,” I replied. These different utterances opened doors to your inner battles and victories as you readjusted to changing situations. I don’t know what it means to sit for hours, days, weeks, and years, and to move only when it was really necessary. I don’t know what it means to lie on the bed in intense pain.
 

 “I don’t know how to express how I feel; every single cell of my body is aching.” You tried to communicate your feelings.
 

 Honey, I think I can imagine what you were going through, but I’m not quite there yet. I do not understand what it means to be beyond 60 and to retire when many are busy. You were left with time and space to fill in and fit in at all times. Honey, I don’t know this. Now I have to figure out things by myself; alone and kind of empty in the mist of many people.
 

 Of truth, I believe God did what he said he would; strengthen you inwardly, and answer more than, exceedingly far above what you could think and imagine. He had answered all your prayers.
 

Goodbye my love, my coach; now my witness.
 

The children, what about them?

Those you coached, what do you have for them?

Silence is also an answer!

 
To you all:

O come and mourn with me awhile,

O come ye to the Savior’s side

O come, together let us mourn,

 

Thank God there is hope!

You have gone:

Where you are loved

      Where you won’t feel pain anymore.

            Where you are glorified.

 
 

We will celebrate your life. We will keep the light burning. Thank you and goodnight victorious warrior. 

Brother James,
My heart aches and a drowsy moment pains my soul when I think of the last conversation we had. I promised to visit you and your wife this summer before the cold hands of death snatched you from us. Brother James, kind hearted, soft spoken, friendly, down to earth, family oriiented, always happy, very courageous, fun to be around with, the good Lord will keep you by his side forever. I will miss you dearly
In tears, caroline

Brother James,
Early memories run to I think 1976 or 1977 when you came to Kumba from the US. I remember it like yesterday. You regaled us with jokes and you were always in symmetry with culture.
In the US, during family crises or gatherings, you were always the voice of reason and an epitome of moderation.
As you take your seat at the throne of the Most High, you will be remembered as a humble man, destined for greatness who in spite of challenges, rose to be an inspiration to many and a beacon of hope to us, your younger ones and......yes I dare say.....an icon of integrity and brilliance. 
RIP grand frere!!!! 

I met Prof. James Ashu in Yaounde in 1989 when te taught at the Yaounde University where I studied. He invited to his Biyem Assi Residence at weekends where we spent special moments, he told me many stories about the culture and history of Manyu people, we played cards and dined. When he traveled to Boston on study leave, I joined him again in 2001 with my family. This was exciting and we could't be happier. It turned out that Prof had to teach my wife when she studied nursing at Laboure College. He will invite her to his office for special Math classes and recommend her to bring the children along. He soon became most friendly to the children who called him "Pa James". We brought him home when time permitted and drove him to some occasions as opportuned. He trusted me to wheel him and often joked that I am the only one who coulld catch him when he falls off the chair. When ever we met his conversations touched on his school life in CPC Bali, Fourabay University and his experience as a teacher at PSS B'Abang. He told me about his books , inventions, his children and his goal to bring his wife over. When I got inducted into "Ekpe" we had lengthty conversations about the doctrines and he sent me online tutorials that still in my keeping. On behalf of my family, I thank  him for the opportunities he gave us to spent time with him and to draw learning experiences from it. We are enriched by his simplicity, wit and fun-filled stories. We learned from him that in life, you go through it and also grow in it. He reminded and advised me to go confidently in the direction of my dreams and to live the live I have magined. He cautioned me to define myself and to discover the true value of life. These are true and genuine memories that will stay with us forever and we will use them to always remember him for a man is not dead while his name is spoken.

RIP

Ruphous Takang & Family
Boston, MA. 

Brother James, who will discuss retirement plans with me now that you are gone. Is just not real that you are no more.  All your enjoyment plans in Bachou-Ntai with palm wine and the elders has not come into reality. We love you so much but God loves you more. May your gentle soul rest in peace.