Sioeli 'Akautau Tupou Sr. Obituary (1953 - 2021)

Sioeli ‘Akautau Tupou sr. was born to Henele Tonga Tupou from Tefisi, Vava’u by way of Ututlei, Vava’u and Analena Leota from Feletoa, Vava’u on May 7th of 1953. Sioeli was 5th out of 6 children. Sioeli was loved and cared for by his own parents and his uncle Fatali and Melena’a Ngatuvai and their children. Sioeli attended primary school in Vava’u, intermediate school at Ha’ateiho Middle School and completed his secondary schooling at Liahona High School. After the completion of high school he worked with the LDS construction in Tonga building LDS chapels around the island. Sioeli attended Brigham Young University in 1977. After one year of attending university he received his mission call to serve as a missionary and labor in the fields of South Dakota. He served amongst the Native American tribes and spoke of their love and hospitality towards him. With the growth of the Tongan community in California Sioeli was transferred in the final 6 months of his mission to labor amongst the people of Los Angeles, California. He spoke highly of his experiences of those from different backgrounds. He was especially proud to serve the beautiful Tongan families in this area. In 1980 Sioeli completed with honor a full time mission and returned to Laie, Hawaii to complete his schooling. After returning to Laie, Hawaii he met the love of his life, the beautiful fair skinned, ‘Alisi Vaha Kaivei. After dating for nearly a year they were married and sealed in the house of Lord, at the Laie, Hawaii temple on August 1, 1981. Sioeli and Alisi welcomed their firstborn son Henele Tonga in 1982. It would be only 2 years later they would welcome their first princess, the late, Teresa Elizabeth in 1984. Their 3rd child, Sioeli Jr. was born in 1985 and the family prepared to move from Hawaii. They would transition their family to Utah in 1987 where they would welcome their 4th child, their son, Unaloto Ki Tapinga in 1987. Alisi and Sioeli would find their joy complete with the birth of their final child, their second princess Kato Kakala in 1990. Sioeli was gifted in working with his hands. He learned to build houses from his brother Hevaha Ngatuvai. He would lead a rewarding career working on chapels, temples and especially loved his experience working at the Laie temple as an engineer. Sioeli was called to serve in many different capacities within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Sioeli was highly blessed and sought to share his talents with others. He served in many auxiliaries and worked well with others. His very favorite calling was teaching. He loved to read and study the gospel and was often found buried in books, conference talks or taking notes. He loved to time to listen to conference talks. He is preceded in death by his parents Henele Tonga Tupou and Analena Leota, and Fatali Ngatuvai and Melena’a Ngatuvai; Sister’s Fotu’ika ‘Iongi, Sivilaise ‘Anisi, Emeline Savelio, Uila Ngatuvai, Luisa Ngatuvai, and brothers Moakava Ngatuvai, Hevaha Ngatuvai, Pakineti Ngatuvai and Saolala Ngatuvai ; and daughter Teresa Elizabeth Tupou. He is survived by his loving wife ‘Alisi Vaha Kaivei, son Henele Tonga Tupou, son Sioeli ‘Akautau Tupou (Luisa Auva’a), son Unaloto ki Tapinga Tupou (Juliette Navarro), Kato Kakala ‘Iosua (Pegi ‘Iosua).He is the Grandfather to his Grandbabies who he adored and loved Samia Samuelu ‘Iosua, Henele Tonga Tupou Jr. , Alisi Vaha Kaivei Tupou, Finau ‘Otutolu Iosua, Rosalyn Tania Tupou, Sale Sopoaga Tupou, Eseta Elisipeti ‘Iosua , Emeline Talameli ‘Iosua. On August 15, 2021 on a bright and beautiful sunny morning Sioeli ‘Akautau Tupou journeyed peacefully to the other side of the veil and returned to the loving arms of His Heavenly Father.