This archive report was first published on 10 December 2019.
December 10, 2019, marked a significant milestone for John Richard Ng'ang'a, a Kenyan entrepreneur who had just founded Bedford Memorial Funeral Home in Bedford, Texas, about five years prior. In an interview with journalist Alex Chamwada on KTN News, Ng'ang'a recounted his journey, which took an unexpected turn from pursuing a career in flying to establishing a thriving funeral parlor.
Ng'ang'a revealed that he initially moved to the US with the dream of becoming a pilot but soon lost interest in the field. Instead, he pursued medical classes and discovered his passion for mortuary sciences after a career day talk by a guest speaker. This led him to venture into the funeral business, ultimately founding Bedford Memorial Funeral Home in 2015.
The funeral home handles over 300 cases annually, with Ng'ang'a attributing his success to his ability to understand people and provide compassionate services. He emphasized the importance of being reliable, dedicated, and committed, especially for those in the diaspora.
Ng'ang'a also shared his advice to Kenyans with green cards, urging them not to sell their assets back home. He encouraged them to maintain a connection with their roots and live in both worlds, working for six months in the US and six months back in Kenya.
Despite his success in the US, Ng'ang'a remains committed to his Kenyan heritage and is involved in various projects back home, including a magazine that explores different areas of tourism.
