Rev. Josiah Nartey Opata

OPATA Rev. Josiah Nartey Opata, BS & M.Div., was born to Nene Lamimo Opata II and Grace Maku Opata on May 22, 1947. He left behind his wife, Maria Opata and children, Baldomero (Judy) Silva, Angelita (Keef) Ebert, Cynthia Opata-Johnson, Kwame Opata, Michael Opata, Gabriele Opata; and grandchildren; his brothers and sisters, Dr. A.M. Okrah, Fred, Lydia, Harold, Kinsley, Dinah, Michael, Nicholas, Patience and Prince; aunts and uncles, Dr. David Puplampu, Mrs Catharine Mensah, Mr. Baruch Puplampu, cousins; Clement Adjatey, Harrison Agbozo, and Eldridge Nartey. He is deeply mourned and will be sadly missed by the Ghanaian Community in Columbus, OH. He attended Labone Secondary School in Accra, Ghana, the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC, BS Degree in Industrial Technology (Manufacturing) in 1982, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, with a Masters in Divinity in 1987. He received his Certificate of Naturalization, US District Court Northern District of Texas in 1986, Ordained as Itinerate Deacon, The African Methodist Episcopal Church, 1989; Ordained as Itinerate Elder, The African Methodist Episcopal Church 1990. Josiah published a book "Spiritual and Religious Diversity in Prison" in 2001; Certificate of Appreciation from Madison Correctional Institution, 2004; Certificate of Appreciation from the African Christian Church, 1999; An Award from Outstanding Young Men of America, 1986; Award of Merit, Dean's List, 1979-1980; Award from Airplay International, King Eagle Awards, Silver Songwriter Trailblazer, 2000. He belonged to the American Correctional Chaplains' Assoc., Ohio State Chaplains Assoc., International Country Music Assoc., Central Ohio Cluster Chair for Chaplains for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. He worked for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction as a Chaplain III for the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility, Madison Correctional Institution and Franklin Pre-Release Center. He was passionate about community development and will be deeply missed by the many lives he touched in his meaningful and giving life. Visitation will be held on Friday, July 6, 2007, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the SCHOEDINGER-NORRIS FUNERAL HOME, 3920 Broadway, Grove City, where Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, July 7, 2007, at 9:30 a.m. Contributions may be made to the Central Ohio Diabetes Assoc., 1100 Dennison Ave., Columbus, OH 43201. Please visit www.schoedinger.com to sign Josiah's online guest book and leave a special memory. "Sign the online guestbook at www.dispatch.com/obituaries"