Ronald "Judah Eskendar Tafari" Merrills Memorial

Greetings each and everyone, friends, fans, patron and supporter of Judah Eskender Tafari.

Recently we announced the passing of our family member, Ronald William Merrills, also know as "Judah Eskender Tafari", Producer and Owner Of "Studio 4 Recording Studio" in Los Angeles and the youngest recorded artist of his time, for Sir Coxone Dodd's Studio One Recording Studio in Kingston, Jamaica. Eskender, [as affectionately know] was a friend of many, a foe to none, a brother to everyone, mentor to most, a maestro of music, spiritual guardian according to many, and father of five, with one adopted, a grandfather of two and a son of The Most High GOD. He acknowledged him self to be an Executive Member of The Twelve Tribes of Israel and also of  The Ethiopian Orthodox Faith, hence an Orthodox Christian". 

His appreciation for all that has been done, would be more evident, and obviously, it's due to he being no longer with us. Henceforth, we The Merrills Family, take this moment, to thank each and everyone who were apart of Judah Eskender Tafari's life, especially those in "that positive way", those who contributed spiritually, intellectually and physically in helping us, our family to able to, once more overcome another, unwanted and unexpected tragedy as the passing of a love-one. Our sincere gratitude goes out to those who donated to the "GofundMe" page, especially those who had been mislead to another page, made in his name. yet not for this immediate and most dire circumstance and purpose, as putting "Judah" to rest.

On a continuous good note, we were fortunate to keep a small Memorial for Judah Eskender Tafari, in Upland, California, though, under crowd-restrictions, due to the COVID19 PANDEMIC, it was at short notice. Nonetheless, the Official Funeral and Memorial Service will be kept:

Date: THURSDAY June 25th 2020
Venue: Lisa Dozier Funeral Home Chapel
2200 Clarendon Road
Brooklyn, NY 11226
718-922-5472
718-836-5150

Viewing: 11:00am-1pm.
Burial At:
Cyprus Hill Cemetery
833 Jamaica Avenue, NY 11208

Our sincere gratitude and appreciation goes out to Neville Foster, the Artist, "Chrisbonafide", aka Brother Reuben of The The Tribes Of Israel Organization, California HQ, who first took the initiative by intuition, to start this GoFundMe page on behalf of Our Family, and to Sister Beth "Sista Dan" Wagner for assisting Reuben on the GoFundMe page Also to Monica Ornales and Meshelle Armendariz in assisting in funeral and memorial arrangements and the Los Angeles Memorial in Upland, to Vernon Saunders "Vernon Dan" for his wise counseling  and support,  and most of all to The Almighty GOD of Creation for His loving Kindness He has accorded our family through all your kindness of hearts and caring spirits.

With respects to our donor, we insist in remaining transparent in all matter. Hence, below is the "link" to the list of those to whom our gratitude are fervently extended to; those who have donated by, "acknowledging or remained anonymously":

Ronald "Judah Eskendar Tafari" Merrills Memorial
$14,765 raised of $24,000 goal
147 donors
91 shares
147 followers
 Wed June 24 12:43 AM

The Link [for the list of donors and top donors] : [ https://www.gofundme.com/f/ff49d-ronald-quotjudah-eskendar-tafariquot-merrills-memorial/donations?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet ]

 

Thank you all and thanks to The Almighty GOD and Father Of Creation,
~ Lydia Merrills, Meshek "ShackMate" Merrills and The Merrills Family.

Judah Eskender Tafari's love, care for music and others will always be evident, even more from henceforth onward; through the many people worldwide he has blessed with his music, teachings and presence. His legacies will live on, not only in the pages of reggae or international music history, but in each and every heart from now on who will be moved, by his every purpose, 'telling you the truth'; making sure you and all will be accountable for acknowledging that "Ras Tafari Tell You".]

~Chrisbonafide, Artist, Master Of Ceremony, [Student of and Younger Spiritual Brother of Merrills Judah since 1979]

Video: " A Quieted Lion" - Tribute To Judah Eskendar Tafari

Video Editor:  Chrisbonafide

Music By: Chrisbonafide

[Our Original Post):

Greetings brothers and sisters within the reggae music industry and the international music industry; also greeting to you the supporters, patriots and fans of Judah Eskender Tafari, Sir Coxone Dodd's Studio One youngest recorded artist of his time. We have recently suffered the lost, a father, grandfather, brother, a friend, a teacher  and one of Jamaica's prolific recording artist from the 1970' "Rockers Era" of Reggae. Eskender Tafari has worked with many of the greats including Crowned Prince Dennis Brown, Big Ship Production C.E.O. Freddie McGregor, Burning Spear, Brigadier Jerry The General, Stafford "Fredlocks" Elliott, Chrisbonafide, Sangie Davis, Partrick Junior The Minister, Basil Visionaires  and much more.

His works included volunteering for the International Non-Profit Organization The Twelve Tribes Of Israel Organization since 1979 and served his musical expertise  at many of the organization's headquarters functions and showcase, in Jamaica, New York, Canada, Ethiopia, London, Manchester, to name a few. 

He had established the "Cool Heights" Production for producing showcases of which the "Tribute to Two Pioneer Of Reggae" - The Bob Marley-Dennis Brown Showcase was established. Within these recent years, three consecutive "The Bob Marley-Dennis Brown Showcases were held by him and this was in 2017, 18, and 2019. This year's showcase was postponed via the Covid19 Pandemic and his sudden declining health.

Ronald William Merrills aka "Judah Eskender Tafari" suddenly passed away on Friday June 5th 2020 from cancer. He was the father 5 children, one step child and two grand children. His children also lost their mom, 4 months ago, making this situation very burdensome.

Ronald Williams Merrills moved to Los Angeles California seven years ago, alone and had been living in Los Angeles up till his resting day. The donation is to assist in the funeral/memorial expenses  for "Judah Eskender Tafari. Donation will be managed by the family member(s), whom "they choose" to designate.

We the family members are very much grateful for all the support Judah Eskender Tafari, Ronald William Merrills have been getting from all of you, especially his fans from all these decades and all. over the world. We thank you all for the love and care that everyone had shown him during is lifetime and especially during his last year of sudden health issues.

We take this time to also thank each donor in advance and thanks to The GOD Almighty  of Creation for His loving kindness and tender mercies, yesterday, today and forevermore, Selah.

"Jah Light",

"Ras Tafari Tell You"

 

~L.M., Lydia Merrills, Daughter.