Glapoujay Garmondeh

Glapoujay “J.-Money” Garmondeh was born on June 30, 1995, to the union of Mr. G. Gbayou Garmondeh, Sr. and Mrs. Caroline D.L. Houston-Garmondeh in Monrovia, Liberia. When Jay was 1 year and 3 months old, he began his educational journey at Levi C. Williams Kindergarten School. Upon completing kindergarten, he attended Don Bosco Technical High School, where he spent eight years. In August 2007, Jay, his mother, and his siblings relocated to the United States to reunite with their father and settled in Beaverton, Oregon. Upon arriving in the United States, Jay and his twin brother began attending Five Oaks Middle School in the fall of 2007. After completing middle school, Jay enrolled at Aloha High School in the fall of 2010. There, he was a talented two-sport athlete, competing in basketball, track, and cross-country. During his senior year, Jay was a member of the Aloha High School cross-country team that won the Metro League Championship and also helped lead the basketball team to its first playoff appearance in many years.

After graduating from high school in June 2014, Jay continued his education at Clackamas Community College, where he competed as a student-athlete on the cross-country team. After three years, he transferred to Oregon State University in September 2017 and graduated with the Class of 2021, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.

In March 2021, Jay found love and traveled to Liberia, where he married his beautiful wife, Mrs. Bendu Tulay Garmondeh. Their union was blessed with two children and one adopted daughter.

Jay had a deep love for sports and competition. He played for several Sunday league soccer teams in Beaverton and Portland. In 2019, he tried out for several semi-professional soccer clubs in Portland before joining FC Mulhouse, where he helped the team win a regional championship and compete in the U.S. Open Cup.

While visiting his family in Minnesota, Jay was introduced to the captain of East Coast FC. He first practiced with East Coast FC during the summer of 2022 and officially began playing with the team in 2023. He returned each season because of his passion for the game and the friendships he built with his teammates. In 2024, Jay officially relocated to Minnesota after his wife and children moved to the United States. Through his dedication, leadership, and commitment to the team, Jay was named captain of East Coast FC in the summer of 2026, shortly before his untimely passing.

His love for the game, leadership on and off the field, and unwavering determination left a lasting impact on his teammates and everyone who had the privilege of playing alongside him.

Glapoujay is survived by his beloved wife, Mrs. Bendu Tulay Garmondeh; his children, Janjay and Caroline Garmondeh; his adopted daughter, Blessing Garmondeh; his father, Mr. G. Gbayou Garmondeh, Sr.; his siblings, Abigail Garduor, Seetoe Tolbert, G. Gbayou Garmondeh Jr., Glapougbae Garmondeh, and Grace Garmondeh; along with his uncles, aunties, nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of other close relatives.

He was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Caroline D.L. Houston-Garmondeh.

On June 27, just three days before his 31st birthday, Jay’s life was tragically taken from him far too soon by someone who represented pure evil. As we gather to celebrate his life, let us remember the good times we shared with him, the joy he brought into our lives, and the lasting memories he left with each and every one of us. A funeral will be held on Saturday, July 18, at 11:00 AM at Jubilee Worship Center. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.

Sleep on, brother. We love you, and you will never be forgotten.