Obituary of Josephus Abraham Tucker

Josephus Abraham Tucker of Kalamazoo, MI, heard the call of God on Sunday, April 19, 2020, at the age of 76. He was born on March 15, 1944, in Sierra Leone, West Africa. Josephus was the son of Luis and Yema Hannah (Kaitibie) Tucker. After graduating from high school, he attended a teacher's training college for a year, when his life took a second calling to become a Police officer. He joined the Sierra Leone Police Academy, as well as the Hendon Police Academy in London, United Kingdom. At an early age, he attained escalating ranks of Sergeant, Sub-Inspector, and Inspector of Police. In 1975, his life took another phase; this time to the United States of America to further his education. He attended Grandview College in Des Moines, Iowa for two years and then transferred to Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in accounting and information systems, as well as a master’s degree in Developmental Administration. He worked in various accounting and bookkeeping positions and H&R Block as a tax professional for nine years, before retiring in 2010. Josephus is preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, a brother, and his son, Josephus Jr. Surviving is his loving wife of 48 years; Mariama, two brothers; Solomon and Samuel of Sierra Leone, West Africa; God Daughters Tamika Turner of Washington, and Kitoko Baraka of Kalamazoo, Michigan; Godson Sean Seidell, Lansing; brothers-in-law, Matthew and Ernest of Sierra Leone, West Africa. Sisters-in-Law, Hannah Ibrahim Sayo, Sierra Leone, West Africa; Hannah Brima of Sierra Leone, Margaret Lewis (James) of Maryland; Baindu Brima of Sierra Leone: also surviving are a host of loving cousins, nephews, nieces, special grand nephews and nieces in Sierra Leone Canada, Sweden and the United States; The Brima, Dugba, Allen, Fakondo, Maligi, Okot, Ibrahim Sayo, Camara, Kemokai Tucker, Jusu, Smith Njigba, Sellu, Rogers, Lansana and Sandy Families in Sierra Leone, London, and the United States, Special friends in Kalamazoo, Detroit, South Haven, and Grand Rapids - his home families he had cherished since 1977. Visitation will be held on Friday, August 7, 2020, from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Whitley Memorial Funeral Home 330 North Westnedge Ave. Kalamazoo, Michigan 49007. Services will be held at St. Augustine Cathedral, in Kalamazoo, Michigan USA on Saturday, August 8, 2020, at 12:00 p.m. Services at St. Anthony’s Parish, Savage St. Freetown Sierra Leone West African will be announced at a later date. Interment will take place in Ascension Town Cemetery in Freetown, Sierra Leone, West Africa.