Mr. Asangwing Formukong Thomas a.k.a. AS-FOR-TOM 07 was born 81 years ago to his late father Tata Asangwing and late mother Manyi Ngwingalah in Awing village located in a secluded valley Southwest of Bamenda in the Northwest Region of Cameroon. Coming from a polygamous family, he too was polygamous to the late Anna Ngwe Mbolitia (1st) and Elizabeth Akweseh Mbajwing (2nd). Unfortunately, after struggling with health issues for more than 8 years, his last fight came after church on Sunday, October 8th, 2023, at 6 p.m. After becoming critically weak and going to the floor, he complained of general body pains and apnea to his wife and son, Ma Elizabeth, and George respectively. He was officially pronounced dead the next day just before midnight at the Washington Hospital Center (Cardiac Intensive Care Unit) after receiving his last prayers from Pastor Gilbert Ndjami of the Full Gospel Church-USA, from whom he had personally requested prayers in front of the entire church that faithful Sunday 8th. Although we mourn him, we believe he is in a better place based on these circumstances and events.

In a village of more than 36,000 inhabitants who are largely Christians, Mr. Thomas loved a religious life – attending church services every Sunday: distributing church offerings to all his children and visitors at home every Sunday morning on his dining table. He ensured his first child and first son George, and first daughter Grace had a Baptist Christian education, and his youngest sister Mrs. Aziseh Florence Pemaboh went through the Catholic educational system both as a student and an employee. Papa Georgy was Baptized at the Limbe Presbyterian Church down-beach. He trained to be a motor mechanic at Shell petrol station located at Half Mile Limbe to eventually work at the only brewery in West Cameroon, Brasseries Du Cameroon-Ombe.
Papa Mutengene was a hard worker and learner. He was the first person in his family to go to school and learned to repair radio and TV by paying for books from an international school that came through his adopted child, Mr. Paul Chungong working at PECTEN Petroleum Cameroon.

Long before the internet, he took exams/tests and mailed them back. The processing times between ordering the books, receiving them, studying them, and taking assessments took months, and that showed how committed he was to education. He would prefer to send his family to school or help family and friends, regardless, rather than being flashy. This humble servant of the Lord learned French through a radio station in the ‘60s and ‘70s to be able to work at Brasseries Du Cameroon-Ombe. He temporarily worked at the brewery’s distribution centers at Mamfe and Kumba to repair 18-and-26-wheel company trucks out of ditches and deliver drinks to customers. Although he never graduated from primary education, Papa Brasseries was very learned and had a passion for sciences (especially medical sciences). He enjoyed being on a computer and experiencing the marvels of technology. An old-fashioned father with a touch of modernism. He had so many books that I enjoyed reading with him especially “The Power of Positive Thinking”.

AS-FOR-TOM 07 loved all his wives and children. He leaves behind a wife, eight children (George Chefor Formukong, Armstrong Njiawo Formukong, Grace Ngwingalah Formukong, Esohmatichi Estella Formukong, Asangwing Formukong, Sehpela-Kumta Raymond, Aziah Prisca Formukong, and Piki Pikia Apiseh), 20+2 grandchildren, brothers, sisters, and friends to mourn him.

Fun fact: Love at first sight. He loved the young teen lady he saw in a picture shown to him by his parents. Marriage arrangements were made without him with the parents of this young lady who has now been his faithful God-loving, -fearful wife for almost five decades. Mama Elizabeth Akweseh Formukong now holds the foundation she built with him until they meet again.