Jose Fajardo

Reverend Jose D. Fajardo, 101 passed away Saturday, February 21, 2015 in Waxahachie, Texas. He was born November 09, 1913 in San Antonio del Pescado, Colombia to the late Jesus and Anastasia Ardila Fajardo. He was the first student of the original first annex of what become the Colegio Americano. Barely able to read or write when he began, he graduated with honors from the ninth grade (which was all there was at the time). He learned to speak English as perfect as a native speaker while in the United States. Jose was the first Colombian member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Colombia founded February 4, 1929, he was sixteen years old. He studied the ministry in Tennessee and received a Master of Theology and a Doctorate in Education. He was the masters par excellence of three generations. Later Jose found the land and directed the construction of the Colegio Americano and in 1946 he was the first Colombian principal of the Colegio Americano in Cali, Colombia and later encouraged the Church to purchase the campsite, El Coro, that was owned by a Swiss friend. Jose married Fanny Vinasco on March 27, 1947 in Cali, Colombia, South America, she preceded him in death in December 2009. In 1953 he helped organize the National Federation of Evangelical Churches in Colombia CEdeC, consisting of 14 denominations and served as its first President for two years. During the sixties he was an interpreter for Billy Graham during his Latin American Campaign. Jose was Co-head of Upward Bound and professor at SMU from 1968 to 1971. In 1969 he founded St. Timothy Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Bedford, Texas. In Colombia, along with his brother Martiniano, they founded approximately twenty churches and mission points. Along with each church founded, a school was also planted to ensure converts had an education along with the Gospel. In 1976 he was the first foreign Moderator of the Cumberland Presbyterian General Assembly. Beginning in 1987, he was ordained by the Presbyterian USA Church and worked eight years building a new facility for Gethsemane, a bilingual church. He was invited as a guest speaker to numerous in Ireland, Switzerland, Korea, (spoke at the largest church there ) and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. At age 93, he authored and published his story," From the Heights of the Andes to the Heights of Evangelism". He will be dearly missed by his family and all that knew him and loved him. Survivors include his sons: George E. Fajardo of Duncan, SC and Joe D. Fajardo of Waxahachie, Texas; 2 Daughters: Martha L. Fajardo of Garland, Texas and Sonnia F. Hill of East, Texas. 2 Sisters in Laws: Alicia Silva of Florida and Betty Garces of Cali, Colombia; 2 Nieces: Doris and Abida and 1 nephew: Omar Fajardo. 7 Grandchildren: Guillermo A. Rendon, Patricia L. Rendon, Jason Hill, Rachael A. Jajardo, Joshua H. Fajardo, Ashley L. Fajardo and Joseph J. Fajardo. 1 Great Grandchild: Joel Clark Murphy. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Ovilla, Texas, at 4:00 PM Tuesday, February 24, 2015 with Rev. Vernon J. Sansom officiating. Interment will follow in Shiloh Cemetery. The family request donations to the Jose and Fanny Fajardo Missions Endowment, Missions Ministry Team 8207 Traditions Place, Cordova, TN 38016. Arrangements are under the direction of Wayne Boze Funeral Home in Waxahachie. www.waynebozefuneralhome.com

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