Mr.
George Gbono Caphart
Sunrise - June 22, 1949 Sunset - July 16, 2011
The
Caphart family announces with deep sorrow the
passing of George Gbono Caphart, in his 62nd
year, on July 16, 2011 at his home in New Wood
Camp, Paynesville, Montserrado County, Republic
of Liberia. George, affectionately called Gbono
or Georgie, has been ill for a protracted period.
The family, while profoundly grieved by the
loss, is consoled by the fact that he now lies
comfortably in the bosom of the Almighty, joining
our parents, sister and children who departed
before him.
Born
on June 22, 1949, Gbono was the oldest of the
Caphart children. In his role as the oldest,
he was the trailblazer, and we the younger siblings
adored him. He gave our surname the unique spelling
(Caphart, instead of Capehart), and he renamed
some of his younger siblings (Reginald, from
William; Jonathan, from John; Emma was changed
to Theresa briefly and the late Mammie was renamed
Georgia but their names did not stick). Gbono
was a leader. During his formative years in
Brick Camp One, Harbel, he was the head of all
the young people within his age group. They
looked up to him and he led them on excursions
to the nearby Roberts International Airport
to rummage. He was their hero. Like all anxious
youths, Gbono would run afoul of the authorities,
and he would be arrested, then Nah and Sarday
and Gio-Boy would come hounding (crying their
hearts out) his parents to intervene and release
him from the Harbel market jail.
Sometime
in the early 1960s, Gbono decided to leave Harbel
and he moved to Tapita, Nimba County with the
Johnson family, our neighbor who had just been
retired by the Firestone Plantation Company.
Always ambitious, Gbono reappeared in Monrovia
in the mid 1960s, where he became a member of
the Nyonnoh household. George was a very friendly
and outgoing person. While living in Monrovia,
mainly in the Busey Quarter, Bassa Community
and Soniwhen areas during the 60s, 70s and 80s,
he became a household name in those communities.
George
loved music. He always had a copy of the latest
record that was playing on the radio; his music
collection was voluminous. George also loved
a good time, which also took him through the
Mt. Barclay and Lower Careysburg hamlets, wherein
he was immortalized in song (Menzohn-yhou-Gbono)
by the renowned Manban musical artist, King
George.
By
1969, while in high school (Peoples College),
Gbono joined the SSS (Special Security Service).
George left home at an early age, but his determination
made him the icon he became for all who knew
him. While in the SSS, George rose through the
ranks to become a colonel. George was among
a group of officers that was sent to Romania
in 1974 for advance training. George later became
a special assistant to former Foreign Minister
Dennis, a position which enabled him to travel
abroad frequently (including a couple of visits
to the U.S.). Colonel Caphart's last assignment
was as special assistant to Minister Wesseh
MacClain, which ended when he suffered a stroke
in 1999. George's profession had its challenges
and personal difficulties, particularly during
upheavals in the nation, including the 1980
coup and the 1989 invasion that resulted in
a prolonged civil war. George was separated
from his family during the war for a very long
time, which contributed to the loss of his three
young sons. George was retired from the SSS
on July 28, 2007.
It
was 1973 when George met Oretha Weah, the love
of his life. They went on to have three children,
two of whom predeceased him. Oretha has nurtured
her husband through the past 12 years of his
debilitating illness. No greater love or devotion
surpasses Oretha's total dedication to George
for almost 40 years. We shall miss dearly our
spouse, father, brother, uncle, and loving friend,
particularly sister Oretha who has lost a lifelong
friend, companion, love and soul-mate. May his
soul rest in perpetual peace.
Mr. George Gbono Caphart leaves to mourn his
passing his loving wife, Mrs. Oretha Weah Caphart;
his remaining six children (Theresa "TC"
Caphart Cummings, Tormah G. Caphart, Mardea
N. Caphart, Thomas Caphart, Meneegirl Caphart
and Rockie Caphart); his siblings (Jonathan
Teetehma, Martha Yeatee, Reggie Gonzaga Vaiyon,
Emma Yodeh, Nathaniel Alfred, Richard Sarday,
Annie, Randolph Deddeh, Jehu and Mardea); his
nieces, nephews, an aunt (Zoe Gbonzue Dennis),
cousins and a host of relatives, friends and
well-wishers. His children (Minigirl, Reggie,
Chea and Bonnieboy), his father, Mr. Isaac Caphart,
his mother, Mrs. Menzohn Caphart, and his sister,
Mrs. Dekontee Caphart Elliott predeceased him.
FUNERAL
ARRANGEMENTS
A
Silent Wake will be held on the evening
(6:00 PM) of Thursday August 4, 2011 at the
home of Mr. and Mrs. George Gbono Caphart in
New Wood Camp, Paynesville.
Funeral
The Funeral procession
from Abraham Roberts Funeral Home will commence
at 8:00 AM and proceed to the Wake and funeral
to be held beginning at 9:00 AM on Friday August
5, 2011 at St. Kisito Roman Catholic Church
in Paynesville, followed by the Burial in Mt.
Barclay.
Immediately
following the Burial, family and well-wishers
are invited to the Caphart compound in Mt. Barclay
for a Repast.
Contacts:
" Oretha Weah Caphart 077-279040
" Theresa "TC" Caphart Cummings
06-603110 & 077-803034
" Tormah G. Caphart 06-212943
" Madea N. Caphart 06-642646
" Jonathan Caphart 05-405439
" Martha Caphart 077-794332
" Reggie Caphart 718-815-1106
" Emma Caphart 06-593946
" Nathaniel Caphart 06-478644
" Richard Caphart, Sr. 077-519463
" Randolph Caphart 06-564643
" Jehu Caphart 06-903038
