Johnson Gamngong-Jato

My father, Elmer "Pat" Beyerle, worked for the chemistry department of the College of Wooster for over 25 years. He was close to many of the students, but was by far fondest of Dr. Jato for both his character and his intellect. Dad has also passed, so I hope they are renewing their friendship in another world. 

Some people are meant to lead from the front. You are one of those, thanks for inspiring a little boy who saw in you the possibility of being anything. My memories of you are as an adolescent and the few times that i saw you i knew you were unlike anyone i had met at that time. Thanks for inspiring and leading. RIP.

Professor Johnson Jato was not defined by the five books and 50 scientific articles he wrote or co-authored. Most of the people he touched, ordinary folk in the streets, did not know he owned two patents to medical discoveries or that he held several international honours.His great professional and academic achievements, detailed in a ten-page-curriculum vitae, were overshadowed by who he really was inside. From across the world Professor Jato, including an uncountable number of people who called him Daddy, is being remembered for his peaceful, humble Christ-like demeanour.

Really sad. This soft spoken EMINENT Professor and a devout christian. We are going to miss him. BOBA Yaounde extends heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. May God grant them the fortitude to bear such a big loss.

I had the pleasure of knowing Johnson when I attended Faith Baptist Church in Yaounde. I remember him for his smile, his gentleness, and his touching expression of faith and confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ's care during the many years he lived separated from Miriam. My sincerest condolences to the family.

 I thank God for the life of Professor Jato, affectionally addressed as Prof. I knew Professor Jato more intimately when I got married to Thalia Yaje Ngwang, the junior sister of his wife,Dr/Mrs. Mariam Jato. As a young couple they, as well as the T. M. Ngwangs were those we always used to go to for solution. I found in him a very good and wise brother who hated disorderly/and or unchristian living. He was a Christian par excellence in his speech and actions. I believe the Word of God was not only in his mind but did also contaminate his blood. This is one of those people that Christ says in the beatitudes that they shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. My brother/sister, weep not for Gamngong nut rather weep for yourself.He has crossed over and is with Christ Whom he served in several capacities in secular, church, professional or administrative life.As David said (see 2Samuel chapters 12and 13) he cannot come back to us. BUT we may go to him if we follow his examples.
 I once found Prof. Jato at the Central Treasury struggling to cash a "bon" ...for his Director.I nad been told that this Director had been his former student in CUSS. This was in the midst '90s. The treatment he was receiving was such that I was very angry with him and I ,to put it lightly, advised him to go home. And he did. In fact many people misused his humility and quiet nature. He is gone, but he is gone to glory.
 I have known three impotant personalities of the Wimbum tribe intimately. These were late Hon. A.T.Ngala, my brother who brought me up, Late Dr. Nfor Gwei and Professor Jato when he was staying in Anguissa- Yaoundé. Each taught me something beneficial to my  life. But Prof. taught me how to forget self or as Christ said, die to self and live for others which in a sense is living for Christ.
 To the God who brought us this man and clothed him with the garments of humility, I say " Thank You Jesus. Blessed be your holy Name forever. May You raise amongst us again another "foolish" man who will live again such a selfless life as Prof did. Amen"
                                                          
                                                                           Ngantu Cardinal Samuel Esq.
                                                

Pa Johnny,

Like a candle in the wind you have made an exit from this world. I can only recall my mates and friend Bruce [RIP] and Gladys as i think of the great loss your family and well esteemed milieu have incurred. But the great consolation i have and can testify is that you lived a life of faith and worked at your salvation with fear and trembling. Like Apostle Paul, i believe one can say for you to die is gain but to live is for Christ. You lived for Christ and now i bid you farewell as you sit at the bossom of the Lord. For the rest of your family i wish you God's providence, comfort and courage at this trying moment. To the Boban Community, i heartily express my profound condolence. Farewell 

Hi Prof, I got to know you in 1978 as one of your students in Pharmacy Technology at the University Centre for Health Sciences -CUSS.Your subtle, simple and humble  ways of bringing out the salient practical details in complex courses such as Pharmaceutical Chemistry,Pharmaceutical Preparations and Calculations etc can be attested by the number of your former students in the pharmacies of all the government hospitals throughout the Republic.Amougou Paul,Som Bandine épouse Bikok and a host of my myriad of francophone classmates in CUSS  always commend on how your efficient teaching made us to be able to teach our colleagues who studied out of Cameroon,the practical realities in our Cameroon situation in the profession.Among some of your prominent  anglophone students in the pharmacy profession today are Dr AROUNA of the USA,Dr Besong of the USA,Mrs Ngwanyam Florence of Caren Pharmacy-Bamenda ,Mme Patcha Mary of Bamenda Regional hospital.This is just the list in  my generation i.e behind and/or ahead of me.
 I had the privilege of being a "chef de classe" and one of your best students and as an anglophone I got quite close to you.I vividly remember the day you opened the floor during our anglophone medical/paramedical students' party in 1979 to the applause and consternation of all of us.You even drank a satz or amstel on that day!!!When I visited you at home,you entertained me with drinks, philosophical jokes and many gists but above all the amorous postcards you carefully addressed and kept in a nice album all dedicated to your sweet heart- in your own words"My Dearest or Darling Miriam". Well,I told my friends-yr students and it sounded so marvellous to all of us that prof was afterall just HUMAN  too.....
Our last real socialising was at my classmate's wedding Colonel Dr Ralph Bawe-where you calmly presided about ten years ago.
 Later on after your retirement,the office your NGO-BDPC  occupies was just opposite mine and it has always been wonderful greeting you every other day until a few months back when you became irregular.
  Greet your bosom friend and colleague -the late Prof Lawrence Njikam(our prof of Phamacology and Galenic Pharmacy)who went ahead  a few years ago.Ask the good Lord on whose side you surely are now to take care of your other colleagues Dr Mrs Christie Mbi (prof-Pharmacognosy)and Dr Mbenkum(prof Medicinal Botany)who have not been very well.
  Ma Miriam ,The kids and the entire Jato family....Our hearts go out to you...and we join you in giving thanks and saying halleluyah to the AMIGHTY for a wonderful celebration of a wonderfully  spent LIFE  OF OUR HEROIC GENTLE PROF who has left his own indelible marks in the sand of time.  ADIEU  PROF....
Awasom Cornelius
On behalf of your past Phamacy students

We have lost a Pillar of the wimbum people. I knew Dr. Jato. I am going to miss him and may his soul rest in peace.

Dear Daddy  Jato,

We are saddened by your early home-going but we know that you are with the Lord whom you have served all your life. You were the first person to teach us that great scientists are also people of faith. You taught us that great intellectuals are humble people. You taught us that great people are responsible, not only to the powers that be, but to ordinary people. You taught us what it means to be a devoted servant and serve the state with all your heart. You also taught us the importance of family and always included us in the major and small events of the family. You mentored and advised us at Etoug-Ebe Baptist Church and at Faith Baptist Church where we followed your example of service. You taught us to be thankful for everything in life. We will miss you, but we will continue to love you and follow your example. We know that we will meet soon before the presence of God; until then, safe journey.

Professor Elias Bongmba
Dr. Odelia Ngala Bongmba