Jean-Michel Muteba

 

Life’s Journey

Jean-Michel Muteba

To plant a seed in one’s heart…to root it in love…

To nourish it with time spent together…

Yields a blossom that will flourish forever.

 

Jean-Michel Muteba Mpoy was born on December 21, 1954, in The Democratic Republic of Congo to his parents, The late Theophile Muteba and The late Bernadette Biuma. He was the first born in the family.  He was raised surrounded by his brothers, Adolphe, Henry, Florent, and his sisters, The late Alphonsine, Angelique, and Therese.  Growing up, he was very protective of his siblings and was instrumental in the care of their education.

 

Jean-Michel received his early education by graduating from the Saint Jean High School in 1972.  He furthered his education by attending the University of Kisangani located in the Congo.  Upon relocating to the United States, he attended the West Virginia University where he earned a master’s degree. Additionally, he earned a BA in Accounting from Regis University in 2008.

 

On July 27, 1985, Jean Michel married, Annie Ngoya in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo.  With this union, he adopted Daniel, Nathan, David, Martine, and Charlotte.  He was a loving and devoted husband, and father, who took great pride in the care and nurture of his family.  They all remember him as a man who loved talking Congolese history, politics, and world events with everyone. He was later blessed with eleven grandchildren, Faida, Josiah, Jelani, Ethan, Jua, Kiyo, Sionne, Salem, Amielle, David, and Joel.  They fondly remember all the happy and precious moments they shared together, especially the Christmas Eve celebrations in the home, where they all would exchange gifts and enjoy good foods with each other’s company.

 

By profession, Jean-Michel was employed by the Department of Agriculture before moving to the United States.  He worked for COBE for many years, and at the time of his passing, he was employed by Ice-O- Matic in Denver. He was always hard-working, dedicated, dependable, and performed his duties with a spirit of excellence.

 

Jean-Michel was a fun-loving man, who enjoyed life and those he encircled.  In his free time, he enjoyed working in his yard, watching his favorite television shows, watching documentaries, and working on remodeling projects.

 

He will be remembered as a man of faith, integrity, a man who was loyal, a man who was reliable, and a man who kept his word at all costs. He was one of the pioneers who helped organized the Congolese Community in Colorado, the French extension of his current church was started in his basement. He was a Christian man, who loved God.  He will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known this kind and wonderful man.  To know Jean-Michel was to love him.

 

Jean-Michel Muteba departed this life on June 26, 2023, in Arvada, Colorado.  Those left to cherish his memory and mourn his loss include his wife, Annie N. Muteba; his children, Daniel M. (Sandra) Bea, Nathan K. (Chela) Bea, David T. (Julia) Bea, and Charlotte T. (Cele) Bimbi; Martine T (King) Yomon,3 brothers, Adolphe T. (Eva) Muteba, Henry W. (Rosalba) Muteba, Florent B. (Jenny) Muteba; 2 sisters, Angelique N. Muteba, and Therese N. Matondo; 11 grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends.