Sadanala Jesudason

Mr. Sadanala Jesudason was born in 1929 to Mr. Sadanala Samuel and Mrs. Mahaniamma Samuel, in Lakkavaram, Andhra Pradesh. He grew up in a warm and loving Christian home, the fourth child of five children.

He started his education at the Lakkavaram SDA Church School, eventually finishing his secondary education at Narsapur SDA High School. He then joined the Royal Indian Navy, serving honorably. He was among a select number of sailors chosen for special training in England, which he completed. A few days before the first Indian Independence Day, he was in Karachi which is today in Pakistan, when he and his shipmates received emergency orders to return to New Delhi. They arrived in New Delhi the night of August 14, 1947, and the next day, August 15, 1947, for the first Indian Independence Day, Mr. Jesudason marched in the Honor Guard before Indian dignitaries and Lord Mountbatten. A few years ago, the Indian Embassy in Washington honored him for his service. His naval career came to an end when he was faced with the issue of keeping the Sabbath holy, which was also why he refused to be a police sub-inspector in Hyderabad, when offered the job. He chose to serve God, which was his lifelong commitment. After his naval career, Mr. Jesudason enrolled in Gifford Memorial Nursing School. There he reconnected with Ms. Stella Laban and married her on August 16th, 1951 and dropped out of Nursing School. They celebrated 69th wedding anniversary on August 16th, 2020.

They were blessed with four children, Donald, Samuel, Rena and Gerald.

Mr. Jesudason moved his family to Spicer Memorial Collège, where he took accounting.

Mr. Jesudason served God faithfully in Surat, Poona, Ranchi, Falakata, before moving to the United States in 1969. He continued serving God faithfully at the former Washington Adventist Hospital till his retirement in June 2010. He was recognized for his faithful service by Washington Adventist Hospital and given several awards. He was invited to take part in the ‘Ground-breaking’ ceremony for the new White Oak Medical Center, which he gladly did. In retirement, Mr. Jesudason with his wife Mrs. Stella remained active, volunteering at the Adventist Community Center.

During his naval training in England, he bought a Webley Scot shotgun, with which he loved to hunt. While serving at Falakata, he shot a leopard, and was recognized as being the first Adventist to do so. His picture with the leopard was published in the Southern Asia Tidings. Mr. Jesudason also loved reading, gardening, carpentry, traveling. His favorite was probably the trip to the Holy Land with the Voice of Prophecy group and loved talking about it. In retirement years, the travel slowed down, and he took to watching movies, especially Telugu movies.

Mr. Jesudason loved his family very much, always putting their interests above his. He was a faithful husband, a loving father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was a loving son to his parents, a loving brother to his siblings, a loving uncle, grandpa, great-grandpa and grand-uncle to all his family.

Mr. Jesudason was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mrs. Stella Jesudason, his loving parents Mr. and Mrs. S. Samuel, dear older siblings, Mr. S. Joseph, Pastor S. John and Mrs. Shanta Simeon. He leaves behind his loving younger brother Mr. Christopher J. Sadanala, his loving children and spouses, Donald (Caroline), Samuel (Neetha), Rena (Sam Vonumu), Gerald (Nancy); loving grandchildren Natasha, Audra, Dustin (Esther), Savitha (John Pifer), Justin, Jerry Jr and Stella; loving great grandsons Kelden and Valrik; and a host of other loving family members and friends.

Mr. Sadanala Jesudason fought the good fight, kept the faith and finished his course, and henceforth is laid up for him a crown of righteousness, which he will receive, and not only him, but his loving wife Stella and all the loved ones who loved and looked for the Lord’s appearing. It was his hope and desire that his family, immediate and extended, and friends be ready to meet our Lord Jesus Christ.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hinesrinaldifuneralhome.com for the Jesudason family.