Birth date: Jul 19, 1938 Death date: Feb 1, 2020
Thomas Cameron Jebo Sr., 81, lately of Leesburg, Virginia, passed away Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020. Mr. Jebo was born July 19, 1938, in Potsdam, N.Y., to the late Howard James Jebo and Cecily Cameron Jebo. The oldest of three brothers, Read Obituary
Godly, gentle, wise and whip-smart. I’m a better man and follower of Christ because of Tom and his dear Nancy.
If leadership is indeed influence, then Tom Jebo was an incredible leader because he was an incredible influencer. He, along with superhero sidekick Nancy, invested their lives wisely by positively influencing so many people, for so many years, in so many places … Mt. Pakron, Purple 2, Nestling Lane, and I started to think about the number of countries they visited, but there are too many to list.
Tom was approachable. His non-judgmental listening gave people the gift of transparency. He was smart, his LGCC Sunday school classes are remembered for his even handed and intelligent treatment of complex subjects where he insisted that Christians could agreeably disagree. Tom was wise. His infectious optimism, insightful questions and unflagging faith in Christ helped refocus many, whether sitting around a fire outside of Chiang Rai, the dessert bar at the Budapest Marriot, or their dinner table, with that confounded whatever-it-was ginger ale/grape juice Jebo cocktail.
Tom was stable. When our church was going through a difficult season, Tom and Nancy spent countless hours meeting with people, trying to help them focus on the One above the circumstances. The same happened when the president of our mission agency passed. Tom was ready to shepherd, ready to serve, ready to comfort.
Tom was a pastor. When he left his IBM/Memorex/corporate career and became a pastor to missionaries, he landed in the niche unarguably ordained by God for him. He and Nancy (herself a superb shepherd) mentored candidates (and young mission pastors), encouraged, prayed for, served and encouraged missionaries. Ultimately their plan, interrupted unfortunately by Nancy’s cancer diagnosis, was to move overseas to be closer to missionaries.
Tom faithfully prayed. Monthly he received a missionary prayer calendar, and while still accessing email, if it was late, he would write and remind me. When email was no longer an option, Tom insisted on receiving the calendar through the mail. Such was his commitment to pray for missionaries … a missions’ pastor to the end.
Tom loved his family. He was so proud of his children, their spouses and grandchildren. He regaled us with stories of the son-in-law who like cake for breakfast, or the grandchild who was finding joy in their new career. He delighted to see family members following Christ, and was thrilled for all of your successes. To the family I want to say, “Thank you.” Thank you for sharing Tom and Nancy with us. Their home was our home., and they had a delightful way of making us feel like a part of your family. Thank you for releasing them from spending Christmas with you so that they could come to Russia and play Santa and Mrs. Claus … for us. Thank you for letting them globe trot to minister. Thank you.
The shadow of Tom’s influence casts long, with many in it. He was a man of God, who earnestly lived out what he solemnly believed. He was a role model, who demonstrated how to love your wife unconditionally. He understood grace, and extended it freely. He bettered his world, and the people in it. As word of Tom’s passing has gone out, a common refrain has been, “Heaven’s gain.” Tom is now enjoying the hospitality of his beloved Savior in heaven, and my guess is that while his eyes are on Jesus, his hand is in Nancy's.
Tom and Nancy were a gift to los Gatos Christian, so many years ago. They were incredibly gifted Shepherd’s, extending unconditional love and support to our missionaries, and to our congregation as a whole. Tom was a source of stability, calm, and great wisdom. He and Nancy both, were always kind, always patient, always compassionate, and somehow always available when needed. Their life and ministry left a lasting impact on us, on the lives of hundreds at Los Gatos Christian, and likely thousands around the world. We always have, and always will hold Tom and Nancy dear to our heart.
Larry and Amy Mardock
Sorry! Tom Sr. modeled acceptance of less mature friends (and mentees like me), eventhough some of my blindspots must have been quite obvious to him. That gave me energy. We loved him and Nancy. Mike (and Joyce) Devenny
Dear Jebos & Sutherlands,
So sorry to hear the news about Tom. Both Tom & Nancy were such great people and so we are saddened, as well, by the loss of Tom as we were with Nancy. As a couple, they were great role models for us having left a successful corporate career to invest the second half of their life encouraging those, literally around the world, who were all about the Great Commission of Christ. We liked them so much that we even stopped over to see them in California when we were on our way back from Hawaii on our honeymoon. Dan and Elise, you were also role models to us as you served Tom in his last years and brought him into your regular family routines including meals with the boys and much dog walking and then finally as you helped him in this difficult past year. Tom served well and you served him well and we praise God for lives well lived. Can't wait to hang out with Tom before the throne of our Savior one day.
God Bless you as you both grieve and rejoice over good memories,
Jack & Mary McDonald
