Thomas Kuol Akei Atem Juach

Well, I'm here to tell you that besides a father and husband to my mom, Thomas was a son, brother, uncle, grandfather, friend, leader, soldier, caretaker, provider, believer, supporter, hero, and above all things he was a fighter. Not just any fighter but he was a fighter with faith and hope.

Taking you through the journey of how he became the man you all call Thomas Kuol Akwei Atem Juach. Thomas was born in 1963 in the country now called South Sudan within the town of Malikal. He was the first son to his father Akuie Atem Juach and mother Nyankuak. He was born into multiple tribes with his dad being from Bor and his mother from Nuer. Coming from a big family, Kuol was 1 out of 8 siblings, 3 boys and 5 girls. With 4 of the siblings passing before him leaving 4 left. During his childhood Thomas was known as the “clever” kid because he had his way with people and knew how to get what he wanted. He attended primary, middle, and half of high school in the same town of Malikal. He then ended up moving to the big city of Khartoum to finish his education at Rung high school. Thomas graduated with his high school diploma and went on to further his education at Ahlia University in the city of Omdurman. About halfway through his schooling at the university Thomas paused his education and began working.

While residing in Khartoum he was a member of St. Matthews Cathedral church. During his time and involvement in the church he was part of the church choir, this is where he met his beautiful wife Salwa James Kenyi Fataki. After a few years they then got married and had a total of 9 children together. With 3 children passing, surviving 6. Farid(passed), Anthony, Nyankuek, Akwy, Sunday(passed), Alcohol, Mak, Sam, Angel(not named). Thomas moved his family to Egypt in 1999 with the hopes of moving to a better country after. Within about a year he was approved to move to the United States. While in the United States for the first couple of years is when his illness began and when he had first surgery to remove one of his lungs. He had also held different positions when first arriving in the US to provide for his family. After his surgery, he was labeled disabled. He still continued to strive for a better life for his family and himself and decided to finish his education in the US. Thomas began and completed his schooling gaining his associates, bachelor's and master's degree in criminal justice. All while still trying to maintain a normal life his sickness was beginning to worsen. He had his gallbladder removed and was also diagnosed with kidney issues. A little after his gallbladder was removed, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. This took place in the beginning of 2025. He started chemotherapy but his illness continued to decline. In November of 2025 he was placed on a ventilator due to his oxygen declining, shortly after his kidneys, heart and lung began to deteriorate and he then took his last breath on the 21st of November 2025. Thomas left behind his wife, 6 children and 6 grandchildren. While a lot might remember the last few months of his life with the illness, let's instead remember him for the wonderful caring and selfless man he was.

Let's not remember him for the illness that consumed him but the heart and fight that he had within him. 2nd Timothy 4:7 says, "We have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” So, let's remember Thomas Kuol Akwie Atem Juach as the man that fought with his might. He is forever loved, and this is never a goodbye but see you later.

A funeral service will be held at Victory Free Will Baptist Church, located at 4041 NE Antioch Rd, Kansas City, MO 64117, on December 13, 2025, from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm.

Following the funeral service, a committal service will take place at White Chapel Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 6600 NE Antioch Rd, Gladstone, MO 64119, on December 13, 2025,