On July 3, 2023, at 3:25AM, Tessema Berga was called home to live with our Heavenly Father.  Tessema was born April 1, 1938, in Metalya, Ethiopia. He was the first of two children born to the union of Berga Edea and Kebebush Gebrehana. At the age of eight he was sent to an English boarding school by his Uncle Gasha Mengesha Tessema where he received a proper primary education. During his middle school years, he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and was expelled from school for refusing to denounce Christianity.  His teacher, Mr. Coombs, interceded on his behalf and provided housing, clothes, and arranged for him to go to secondary school.  Without this intervention he would not have made it to the United States.

After graduating high school, he enlisted into the Imperial Ethiopian Navy where he ascended to the rank of Commanding Officer (CO).  During this period, he was granted a student visa for officers and given four years to obtain a college degree. He attended Indiana University (Bloomington); in four years' time Tessema completed his bachelor's degree, master's degree, and all coursework for his PHD, however he did not have enough time to complete his dissertation. He further played one year of Varsity Soccer at Indiana University (IU) breaking his leg in a school game. This is when he met his beautiful wife Shirley J. Combs-Berga.  Shirley saw him struggling in the cafeteria with crutches and a tray and approached him to offer support. The rest, as they say, is history.

After IU Tessema had to return to Ethiopia to fulfill his officer obligations. He later returned to the States and married Shirley.  Afterwards he attended Cooley Law School (Lansing) where he obtained his Juris Doctorate.  He worked for over 25 years as a judge for the State of Michigan presiding over many cases.  During this time Tessema started a school in Ethiopia to help educate and provide a future for children from the Metalya Countryside.  He helped to educate nine children all of whom have graduated from college with the exception of one who is currently in middle school.  His reach has truly spanned the globe.

Tessema leaves to cherish his precious memories, his wife Shirley J. Berga, who always stood by his side, son Tessbekel A. Berga (Grefunda-Southfield MI), one granddaughter Morgan Weaver, two grandsons Brock Berga and Chance Berga (Southfield, MI), two Godchildren Casey and Cameron Berga (Ann Arbor, MI), sisters-in-law Barbara Jean Burge, Kim Combs (Northern, Virginia), Aster Bekele (Addis Ababa).  Brothers-in-law Carlos Combs Sr. (Ozene), Keith Combs (Regina), Lonnie Combs (Sandra).  Special nieces Tinnya Hopson, Shawn Hopson (Capitol Heights, MD), Jaye Powell (Louis), Norma Sparks, Andrea Hopson-Cain (Linnie), Meseret Chala (Habtamu-Addis Ababa), Hana Chala (Addis Ababa), Gete Lema (Moges-Addis Ababa), Werkabeba Lema (Wentzville, MO), Yord Solomon (Addis Ababa), Edelawet Derge (Addis Ababa).  Special nephews Carlos Clayton Combs Jr., Tedi Mekonnen (Melat-Addis Ababa), Yonas Bekel (Addis Ababa), Taye Chala (Wentzville, MO).  Special cousins Kebret Woldearegay (Addy Giday-Northern, VA), Senait Woldearegay (Northern, VA), Addisalem Woldearegay (Amare-Northern, VA), Moges Woldearegay (Northern, VA), Bruck Aregai (Hazel-Ottawa, Canada), Yohannes Woldearegay (Rahel-Northern, VA), Abiy Woldearegay (Northern, VA), Tesfaye Woldearegay (Woinshet-Northern, VA), Zewdu Woldearegay (Meseret-Northern, VA), Negat Mengesha (Addis Ababa), Tessema Mengesha (Baltimore MD), Aster Mengesha (Dallas, TX), Tebebe Mengesha (Addis Ababa).  Special friends Taddesse GebreGiorgis (Bernadette-Rochester, MI).

Tessema was preceded in death by his parents Berga Edea, Kebebush Gebrehana, brother Captain Bekele Berga, brothers-in-law Sam Burge, Vincent Combs, Alvin Hopson and sister-in-law, Annette Deloris Hopson.

A wake will be held at New Bethel Baptist Church from 5-7 PM on Friday, July 14, 2023. A Funeral service will be held at the church on Saturday, July 15, 2023 at NOON with burial following in the church cemetery.

The one expression my father always lived by and would always teach to me was "son, always take the high road."  You are dearly loved and will be forever missed. May God guide your path and hold you close to his bosom!  We thank God for your life.