November 18, 1932 – September 19, 2021

Jacob U. Vadakkekudy was born in Kadavoor, Kerala, India, on November 18, 1932, and was baptized at St. George Parish there.  Following seminary training at St. Joseph Pontifical College in Alwaye, Kerala, India, he was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Kothamangalam in Kerala, India, on March 12, 1961.  Father Vadakkekudy served as a priest in India for 21 years, and as a Missionary in West Africa for 3 years; he immigrated to the United States and served the Diocese of Bismarck for four years before affiliating with the Diocese of Helena.

In July of 1989, Father Vadakkekudy was assigned to St. Michael Parish in Drummond; St. Philip Parish in Philipsburg was added to his responsibilities in 1993.  In 1997, he was assigned to St. Joseph Parish in Harlowton.  He accepted Senior Status in 1999.  In Senior Status he initially resided in the Diocese of Colorado Springs and the Archdiocese of Detroit.  In March of 2011, he was incardinated into the Diocese of Helena.

Father spent his remaining retirement years in Maryland (residing with a nephew) and with his family in India.  In the fall of 2019 he traveled to India and remained there until his death on September 19, 2021.  The funeral for Father Jacob Vadakkekudy was celebrated at his family parish church, St. George in Kadavoor, Kerala, India, on September 20, 2021