St. George, Utah – We regret to announce that on Wednesday, July 26, 2017 Tu'ifao Tufuga, beloved husband, father, papa and brother, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family. He was born the third of nine children to Tusitala Tufuga of Asau, Savaii, Samoa and Pisa Toleafoa of Alamutu, Levi, Saleimoa, Samoa on January 6, 1941.  His memories of his childhood were of faithful parents, loving siblings and extended family.  He was educated initially at several Catholic primary schools, government primary schools, the LDS elementary school at Sauniatu, Samoa, then later attended the Church College of Western Samoa, where he graduated as the valedictorian or dux of the class of 1962.

He was part of the early waves of young Samoan students leaving their island homeland to pursue an education overseas.  He attended the Church College of Hawaii (now Brigham Young University Hawaii) in Laie, Hawaii from 1964 to 1966 before leaving his studies temporarily to serve as a full time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in the Apia, Samoa Mission.  Following an honorable release, Tuifao returned to the Church College of Hawaii to complete his studies.

Tuifao met his sweet heart and wife of over 46 years, Fogaa Ho Kum of Aleisa, Samoa while at Church College of Hawaii and they were married, and sealed for time and all eternity on December 18, 1970 at the La'ie Hawaii Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  They have loved each other dearly throughout their married lives together.

In 1971, Tuifao completed a Bachelor's Degree in Biological Sciences from Church College of Hawaii, and then moved his young family to the mainland US in preparation for further studies at Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah.  In 1975, he completed a Master's Degree in Animal Husbandry and returned to his native Samoa to teach.  Along the way he and Fogaa were blessed with seven children who they loved and adored: Jonathan Leo (son), Pearl Puanani (daughter), Sharalleen Noelani (daughter), Benjamin Leon (son), Lee Fan Oman (son), Audrey Leilani (daughter), and Adelia Gaualofapisagaofogaa Alavina (daughter).

Tuifao spent 36 years of his working life as a school teacher, an occupation he enjoyed and loved.  He taught at the Church College of Western Samoa (later served as Vice Principal and Principal of CCWS) the University of the South Pacific, Alafua Campus, American Samoa Community College, Samoana High School, Pago Pago, American Samoa, Enterprise High School, Enterprise, Utah, Dixie College, St George, Utah, Curtis Middle School and various schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District before retiring in 2011.

Tuifao found special joy in teaching gospel classes for seminary or for the wards of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints he attended throughout his life.  Of all the callings he held in the church, he enjoyed his teaching callings most of all.  Tuifao has served as a Sunday school teacher, High Councilman, and twice as a bishop throughout his life in the church.

Tuifao is preceded in death by his parents, Tusitala and Pisa Tufuga Misionasamoa Tufuga Frost (sister), and Taiulu Sikione Tufuga (brother).  He is survived by Falana'ipupu Utaulu Leaso Tufuga (brother), Gaualofa Tufuga Tua'ilemafua (sister), Elevila Byrd (sister), Elenoa Tufuga (sister), Selagi Tufuga Fonoti (sister), and Magalafu Tua (sister).

He is also survived by his loving wife and eternal companion, Foga'a Ho Kum Tufuga, Jonathan Leo, son (Kelly Settle, Suitofagaoalii, Tuifao II), Pearl Puanani, daughter (Carl Washington), Sharalleen Noelani daughter (Penina), Benjamin Leon, son (Tracy Steele, Liana, Leila, Adelia), Lee Fan Oman, son (Kensie Oakley, Taiulu), Audrey Leilani, daughter (Edward Brass, Paris), and Adelia Gaualofapisagaofogaa Alavina, daughter (Jacque Lattimore).

Those wishing to donate will honor our father by donating to a charity of their choosing that is established for raising awareness of, or combating and treating dementia.