Dr. Tommy Harrison Nkungula
Dr. Tommy Harrison Nkungula was born March 8, 1936, at Gopani Village, Blantyre, Malawi and is the oldest of eight children. He attended primary school at Chileka Mission Primary School but dropped out early to seek opportunity in Rhodesia (present-day Zimbabwe).
He completed primary education in the early 1950s and returned to Malawi where he pursued Elementary School Teaching Certificate. Seeking to better himself, he returned to Rhodesia to pursue college studies.
On January 14, 1963, he married his sweetheart, Alice (nee Nkosi) and were both employed by Malawi Union of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, teaching at Chileka Mission, Malamulo Secondary School and Mwami Mission in Zambia.
Dr. Nkungula had an ardent belief in higher education, and towards this goal, he and his wife went to the Avondale College in Australia completing college studies and returning to Malawi in 1969 where he was the Headmaster at Matandani Secondary School for five years.
In 1979, the SDA church provided sponsorship for him and his family for graduate studies at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, where he completed a Masters Degree and went on to obtain a Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Western Michigan University.
In 1980, he was elected as the Education Director for the Trans Africa Division of the SDA Church regional headquarters in Harare, Zimbabwe where he was responsible for the development of church’s educational institutions in multiple countries in Africa and served for 15 years. He frequently recollected on the privilege of working with and serving along many great church leaders in the SDA World Church.
In 1995, he left his position seeking to return to what he loved – direct classroom teaching. He taught English and served as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Solusi University, in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe from 1996-2003. He returned briefly to the Division between 2003 and retired in 2005. Upon retirement, he was requested to assist in the establishment of the Adventist University of Mozambique in Beira, Mozambique.
As a husband, he served his family with integrity, love, and compassion. His love for the Lord was exemplified in his life as he led daily morning and evening worship. He enthusiastically encouraged his wife to pursue her studies and education to further her career and development and motived his children and extended family to do the same. When asked what his favorite job was, he replied “teaching.” It didn’t matter where, but he cared about the potential and promise he saw in everyone around him. He was always ready to meet his Lord, and on Friday, January 11, 2019, when he closed his eyes for the last time, we know he was in His presence ready for eternity.
Tommy Nkungula is preceded in death by his parents the Late Harrison Nkungula and Edelesi Nkungula (nee Thomo), brothers Ecton and Fight Nkungula, and sisters Nellie Nyengani and Elinett Chikaponya. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Dr. Alice Nkosi Nkungula, and their two children – Dr. Tania Nkungula and her companion, Mr. Yves Francois and their children Erin, Chandler, and Sidney ; his son Miko (Mayamiko) Nkungula; his brothers Milos and Peter Nkungula, and sister Malita Nkungula, along with numerous nephews and nieces.
Funeral Services will be on Saturday, January 19, 2019, at Remnant SDA Church, 15121 McKnew Road, Burtonsville MD 20866. Visitation from 2:30-3:30 pm, Service 3:30-5pm and funeral reception 5:30-8pm.
Funeral Service in Malawi TBD. Interment will be at Chileka, Blantyre, Malawi.