Vadaketh Thomas George

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” 2 Timothy 4:7-8

George Vadaketh (VT George) was born on April 14, 1931. His parents were the late V.V. Thomas and Aleyamma Thomas, Vadaketh, Kuriannoor, Kerala.

He studied at Kuriannoor Middle School until the 7th grade, then Eraviperoor High School until 11th grade. Following that, he earned his Intermediate from Union Christian College, Alwaye, Kerala. He earned a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from Agra University, Agra, an ACIB from the British Institute of Banking, London, and an MBIM from British Institute of Management, London.

He was married to Rajamma George, daughter of P.L. Koshy Vaidian and Mariamma Koshy Thekkethayil, Kayamkulam, Kerala, on October 19, 1961.

George Vadaketh retired from Manifold Investment Bank of Lusaka, Zambia in 1993 as Managing Director. He had a long career in banking and had also worked as Deputy Managing Director of African Commercial Bank, and Manager of Operations of Zambia National Bank of Commerce, in Lusaka Zambia. He started his career as Branch Manager and Training Manager of Standard Chartered Bank in Tanzania and Kenya.

During their working career, he and his wife were active members of the community in Lusaka, Zambia. He was a keen tennis player and member of the Lusaka Sports Club as well as the Rotary Club.

After he retired, he settled with his wife at Vadaketh, Navarangom Lane, Trivandrum from 1993 to 2005 and spent quite some time travelling to the UK, Ireland and the United States visiting his children and grandchildren. In 2005, he came with his wife to the United States and resided at 18 Regents Court, Bensalem (Philadelphia) in Pennsylvania.

He and his wife became active Christians in every community they stayed in. He had a passion for evangelism and would tell anyone he could about the good news of Jesus Christ. He was the Treasurer of Anglican Church of Lusaka, where he lived for twenty years. He and his wife hosted regular prayer meetings at their house in Lusaka from 1984 to 1993 with the leadership of an evangelist. When they retired to Trivandrum, he was the building committee convenor, secretary of Edavaka mission, and also taught VBS at Trinity Marthoma Church, Trivandrum. After settling down in the United States, he was the Vice President of Ascension Marthoma Church in Philadelphia, PA. In addition, he was the Vice President of the Senior Citizen Fellowship of Ascension Marthoma Church.

He was a dedicated husband and his relationship with his wife was one full of love, laughter and mutual support. He showered his children, daughters in law and grandchildren with sacrificial love. He was a man of few words but had great love for all of us. He will be truly missed by all.

His siblings include the late Annamma Thomas, and late V. Thomas Mathew. He is survived by his wife Rajamma and his remaining siblings Sara Mathew, Lily Varghese, VT Chacko, and VT Mammen who remain in India. He is also survived by his three children,

Tom (Biju) and his wife Dr. Leena,

Koshy (Bipu) and his wife Leena, and

Mathews (Binu) and his wife Lovely.

He has six grandchildren

Joshua and Shaun,

Krista and Alex,

Jessica and Jonathan

Acknowledgements

The family would like to sincerely thank everyone for their love and support during this difficult time. We would like to wholeheartedly thank His Grace. The Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma Metroplitan and His Grace. Rt. Rev. Dr. Isaac Mar Philoxenos Episcopa for their prayers and condolence message.

We are deeply grateful to Rev Jinson K. Mathew, Vicar of Ascension Marthoma Church and Rev Thomas K Mathew, Youth Chaplain for their dedicated, spiritual support during this difficult time. We have been overwhelmed by the love and support we have received in this time from all our family and friends especially from the Ascension Marthoma Church family. Our family would like to extend our gratitude to Mr. Daniel P. Thomas for his help in funeral arrangements. Our thanks to Aero Digital Studio, Lamb Funeral Home and Forest Hills Cemetery.