Dumbo S. Kadaluka Obituary
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Joldersma & Klein Funeral Home, 917 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo. Friends may call on the family one hour prior to the service at the funeral home beginning at 9:00 a.m. Dumbo will be laid to rest at Riverside Cemetery, Kalamazoo. Memorial contributions may be made to the family to help with funeral expenses, c/o the funeral home.
Age 61 of Kalamazoo passed away Saturday, August 16, 2025. Dumbo was born in Dowa, Malawi, Africa, on May 22, 1964, the son of George and Margaret (Kasamale) Kadaluka. On December 16, 1997, he married Annie Kasonda who survives him.
He was a graduate of Chancellor College of Malawi, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree. Dumbo proudly served Malawi in their armed forces. He was trained in the Officer Cadet School from the Sandhurst Royal Military Academy in the United Kingdom in 1987. Following his military training he returned to Malawi where he was a 2nd Lieutenant in the Malawi Army. In 1991, he was promoted to Full Lieutenant. He also received several other military certificates from Combat Engineering College in the Republic of China, and Danie Theron Combat School in South Africa. He was battle tested in Mozambique as a platoon commander. He was second in command in their camp and he was Commander of Mine Clearing Operations. He retired as a Captain.
While in the military, he became interested in boxing. He loved other sports as well including sprinting, high jump, volleyball and soccer, and many other track and field sports. His primary responsibility was as a father, but he enjoyed gardening and agriculture, hunting, mechanics, reading and puzzles. He also had a love for music, no matter the genre. He loved anything that challenged his mind and intellect.
Later, following his military service, he joined his father's business, Chikambe Enterprises. In 1997, Dumbo immigrated to the United States. Here he attended Davenport College. He worked for Windsor Estates, Goodwill Industries, Wal-Mart, and later became a trucker for Pacific, LL. As a fan of travel, he also enjoyed working for Paragon, doing biker shows.
Besides his wife, Dumbo is survived by his children, Mona Lisa Kadaluka, Dumbo Kadaluka Jr., both in Malawi, Mayamiko Kadaluka, Mtisunge Kadaluka, both of Kalamazoo; four grandchildren; siblings, Tangupenya (Crispin) Mzengeza, Tomaida (Raymond) Lockley, Kwacha Kadaluka; nieces and nephews; and many, many friends. Dumbo was preceded in death by his parents; and several siblings.
