Support Fasil Tekola's Family in Bringing Him Home

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26

Words by Tanesha Tekola

On June 3rd, 2024, after an arduous and painful battle with epilepsy, our Father went home to be with his heavenly family. He was 70 years old. The silent shepherd of our flock, a man who gave his all to provide a solid foundation for his offspring to sprout from - left behind four daughters, two sons, a beloved wife, younger brother and elder sister. His passing has us reeling in shock and feeling the abyss of those who are left behind.

Fasil Tekola was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on March 12, 1954. He is the second of six siblings. During the tender age of 18, fleeing war and climate catastrophe, he left home under the cover of darkness to avoid the violent conflict that had already claimed the lives of many of his classmates. He became a refugee and journeyed for the next ten years, going from Kenya to Palestine/Israel, Sweden, and finally landing in the United States at the age of 28. It was there he met Susan, and they were married in September of 1994. Tanesha, Sarra, Sophia, and finally Nataly were born. Raising biracial Ethiopian American children in the early 90s in Seattle, Washington came with its own unique set of challenges and triumphs: from homeschooling, to choosing to be a full time Father, and instilling a value system in his children rooted in his homeland’s ancient Christianity - Fasil changed the perspective of many who met him. We are so grateful for the memories; summer camping on the Pacific Northwest’s coastlands, history lessons at every turn and biblical discussions grounded in current events, the rock he became through our mother’s illness, the many homecooked dinners and homeschool life lessons, the trips back to Ethiopia, and the love of nature and social justice he placed in us from a young age.

After his children left the nest and started their own journeys in the world, Fasil and Susan retired to Addis, Ababa, Ethiopia in 2018. They found themselves needing to remain close to medical care as Fasil had his first seizure at age 67 in Ethiopia, and in 2022 they moved to Phoenix, AZ and into the home of their eldest middle child. In the few years that followed, Fasil’s health continued to suffer from seizures that were moderately controlled by medication until the day he had his final one that took his life suddenly away. He left us wishing we had more time, more memories, and more opportunities to heal the pain.

Fasil was stubbornly humble and unwaveringly generous with this time, his energy, and his resources. He would give of his own before he would accept from someone else.

He would never request this, but we are asking for support in bringing our Abaye home to rest in his place of birth, with his parents and younger sister who preceded him in death. It was a sudden and unexpected passing, yet we had not prepared for this outcome and had future plans for our family that have been shattered with this landmark tragedy.

Thank you for reading this and for your good intentions.

With love & sorrow,

His Loving Family

Total Estimated Cost: ~$23,000

Cost of repatriation (flight, freight, airline fees): ~$4600

Cost of funeral home processing in PH, AZ: $4607.94

Cost of funeral ceremony in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: ~$4500

Cost of six roundtrip tickets to Ethiopia: ~$10000

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Dr. Yeshaq Sarra Tekola's Memories

My favorite memories with dad were when I was a child, eight years old, being homeschooled. I was (and still am) obsessed with frogs and ponds. He would take me to stormwater ponds and streams, in some cases help me to jump over fences, to collect specimens like tadpoles and water samples to bring back to my lab.

My second favorite memory was when I was 15 and I was just learning to drive. Tanesha had totaled her car, and they were planning to junk it. Dad gave me the keys and told me to take the car out back to the pasture. I went off roading for weeks until the car fell completely apart and learned how to drive that way.

My most recent favorite memory was when he drove me from Addis to visit Lalibela in 2018. The drive took a couple days. Everyone told him it was not safe, but my dad went anyway. Some villages we drove through threw rocks and thought mom was Chinese lol. Dad never shied away; he knew he was with God and would be fine. On the way back he took me to a different monastery in what seemed like the middle of nowhere. The temple was carved into the rocks on the side of a cliff. It was a famous cave that the king would go to be blessed by the priest before he went to war. We drank the holy water from the cave for 7 days afterwards. I felt changed after this experience.

From Sophia’s Memories

A stay-at-home Dad, a gardener, a nurturer, a chef, wisdom is embodied in my father, as well as the gentlest strength you could experience. That strength set the foundation of my relationship with God. Spending time just the two of us, going deeper into the Bible and history together. We could spend hours talking about scripture and events in the world. He was an intellect that pushed me for the better. In the end he also took time to listen to what I knew. Before he died, he made sure to tell me he was impressed and proud of me. His words will forever leave an impact on my life.

Growing up with a chronic illness, Dad always took it seriously and held me while I was in pain. He made it a habit to drop everything to sit with me when we lived close or be on the phone with me, when thousands of miles separated us. He learned how to be present. He never rushed me, when I needed to express what was happening or simply just cry it out. No matter the hour he had the strength to be my shield of protection, when the darkness got too loud. In fact, that’s why I called him the night before he passed. I was in the ER and I needed my Daddy…I still do.

From Nataly Tekola

My Father was the silent Backbone in our family.

His sensitivity was his strength.

He had no care for the physical things in life.

Just the way we treated others.

His love for humans was boundless.

He taught me to have patience with myself and for others .

To only talk kindly to others no matter how much you do not want too.

He taught me to Trust myself.

He could walk for miles and be happy with just him and you walking, talking about the Lord.

Every time I talked to him he always reminded me how much faith he had in me.

Fasil was a reserved man , loving and intentional.

I know my Dad rests in great peace. He has earned it deeply.

From Susan Tekola

My soulmate, beloved Father, cherished brother who left us too soon. Our lives will never be the same. All of our hearts are shattered. Fasil, for a quiet man with a mind full of so much knowledge, wisdom and insight. He had a generous, tender heart. He was a spiritual man. A man of God who never feared to give a reason for the faith that resided in him as well as that which he loved in his family. He loved his children with deep adoration. Diligently praying for them each and every night. Always carrying the deep within his heart. Committed to taking care of his family and even those he didn’t know.

A sensitive man. A devoted moan. An honored, freely a man of so much goodness from within. No amount of words to describe the specialness he added to this world.

I know God has taken him to a better place. He has earned his wings, but we will still forever miss him. Forever spill our tears and always, always keep his dearest and treasured memories alive.