James Joseph

grew up in Western Malaysia, with his siblings and cousins. As a teenager, he discovered a

passion for long distance running and represented his high school in long-distance running

competitions- earning a number of medals over the years. Mr. Joseph would go on to apply the

skills and problem solving acuity of a competitive long-distance endurance runner to the

challenges of daily living for the rest of his life: always playing the long game in his decisions

for the benefit of his family and in his stewardship over the institutions he served.

After high school, like his father, Mr. Joseph travelled to India to further his education.

He attended Spicer Memorial College. It was here that he met the love of his life, Ms. Mary Ann

Thomas (a teacher’s assistant in the biology department who happened to be the daughter of Mr.

A.T. Thomas - the distinguished dean of the Spicer Memorial College of Arts and Sciences).

Upon graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 1979, Mr.

Joseph felt called to the service of missionary work. He travelled into the rural jungle territories

of Sarawak where he employed his skills as an accountant and manager. His prudence and

leadership qualities quickly led to him being appointed Mission Treasurer - overseeing most of

the operations within his division through the early 1980’s.

Despite his successes working for the Sarawak Mission, Mr. Joseph continued to feel a

desire to better himself and further his education. So he returned to India and completed a

master’s degree in Commerce from the University of Pune in 1984. He also married Mary Ann

in the winter of that year. In the years that followed, they had two children: a daughter- Angeline

James and a son- Adrian James.

Mr. Joseph and his wife were both compelled to continue using their education in the

service of missionary work. They accepted positions as high-school teachers at Ekamai

International School in Bangkok Thailand from 1986 to 1997.

Mr. Joseph had a natural affinity for teaching within his chosen areas of knowledge in

Business, Accounting and Economics. He took great pride in preparing his students to attend

institutions of higher learning around the world.

Much as his practical skills and broad knowledge base had led to his appointment as

Mission Treasurer in Sarawak, Mr. Joseph’s qualifications and leadership-style led to him

accepting an upper-management position as Finance Director for Ekamai International School

from 1997 to 2000.

During his tenure as Finance Director, Mr. Joseph oversaw vast building/renovation

projects, updates to technological infrastructure and key partnerships that would significantly

expand the institution’s overall capacity and reputation for excellence for many years to come.

In 2000, as both of his children were drawing closer to graduating from high school, Mr.

Joseph made the decision to uproot his family from Bangkok and move across the Pacific ocean

to Southern California so that his children could have better educational opportunities and an

easier transition into college.

Mr. Joseph and his wife accepted administrative positions at JonBec Care Inc., where

they managed the care of individuals with developmental disabilities at multiple Intermediate

Care Facilities. Within a year of arriving in the United States, Mr. Joseph also completed a

second Master’s Degree in Business Administration from La Sierra University.

Mr. Joseph loved his clients and took the time to learn everything about them. He also

enjoyed working with his co-workers and staff. Beyond being a compassionate administrator and

trainer, he would often go out of his way to offer support in their personal lives and show

genuine concern for their well-being.

Despite taking appropriate precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic, he contracted

the virus in late January 2021. After several weeks in the hospital and ICU, he passed away on

February 28, 2021 due to complications related to the disease.

Throughout his life, Mr. Joseph exemplified a life grounded in his faith in Jesus Christ as

both a Redeemer and personal friend. He wished to extend the wisdom and love of Christ

towards everyone he met through a life of service. He prioritized spending time with family and

he loved to make friends with people from all walks of life.

He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Ann, and children, Angeline and Adrian, his

siblings: Jonathan (Becky), Jenny (Edward), and Jessie (Marie), his mother-in-law, Mrs. A.T.

Thomas, sisters and brother-in laws: Alice (Selvin), Susan, Tommy (Renu), Bobby (Anna),

nieces and nephews and many grand-nieces and nephews.

We look forward to that blessed day when Christ returns and we will all be reunited with

him again.