Fagatoele Seumanutusa

Fagatoele Fa’aiuga Seumanutusa graduated from this life on the evening of June 24th in Salt Lake City, Utah surrounded with love and song by his family and friends. He was age 54. Ele was born on April 29, 1969 in Faga’alu, Tutuila, Amerika Samoa. to Naea Fa’aiuga Seumanutusa (Father) from the Village of Eva, on the island of Upolu Samoa, and Saumanuia Lokeni Su’amata’i’a, (Mother) from the Village of Nu’uuli, Tutuila, of Amerika Samoa. Ele married Daelene Marie VanGorkum on February 10,1995 in North Salt Lake City, UT (Vaiola Ward) and later, sealed for all time and eternity on September 7,1997 in the Bountiful Utah Temple. After moving from Amerika Samoa to Laie, Hawaii and then Compton, CA., He went to school at Roosevelt Elementary "Li'l Roosevelt" and then attended Roosevelt Jr High. He learned to play clarinet, base clarinet, and the bassoon. Later, he joined the Compton Festival Orchestra along with one of his best friends, Eric Cleveland. he also fell in love with the game of football in high school and made First Team All CIF in football, San Gabriel Valley League Lineman of the Year, Dominguez Dons football team captain seasons 1986 & 1987. In his Senior year, class if 1987, Ele was elected Student Body President of Dominguez High school and Homecoming King . GO DONS! He attended college at Dominguez Hills Community College, and transferred to Cal State Fullerton He majored in Psychology with a minor in Political Science. He graduated with his Associates in 1988, being the second in his family after his mother to graduate from college. He chose to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and was called to serve in the Utah - Salt Lake City Mission from 1989 – 1991. He had the opportunity to help the people of the Salt Lake Valley, Tooele Valley, Park City, and Coalville areas, bringing many souls unto Jesus Christ. He continued his service in the church with many callings working with the Young Adults, Young Men Program, Sunday School, Elders Quorum, High Priest Quorum, Primary, Ward Clerk's office, and Librarian. Ele had a positive impact through counseling troubled youth by working at many programs such as, Benchmark Behavioral Health Services, the Juvenile Court System at Salt Lake Valley Detention Center, and later, the Third District Juvenile Court as the Work Crew Supervisor. He then transitioned to working with adults with disabilities, at Utah Valley Mental Health as a Case Manager, and Guardian & Conservator Services (GCS) Utah as a Social Worker/Supervisor. Due to his health, he retired in 2016. He loved watching College Sports, especially the PAC-12 and colleges that showcased his nieces, nephews, and other Polynesian student athletes playing. He would watch and follow them as they progressed even for some that had reached playing to a professional level. His favorite pro teams are: L.A. Lakers, Raiders, L.A. Dodgers, Rugby teams - Toa Samoa, Fijian Drua, NZ All Blacks, and Utah Warriors. Ele is completely devoted to his family. As the oldest child in his immediate family, and one of the oldest cousins on his mother’s side, he has always understood and carried out his role of doing the fa’alavelaves. Ele made sure to pass on these vital characteristics to his girls, nieces, nephews, youth at church and even those youth he worked with. Ele’s entire family would like to thank all the doctors, nurses, medical assistants, techs, and administration from the Huntsman Cancer Institute, South Jordan Infusion Clinic, and Riverton Dialysis Center for the care, tireless work, and compassion shown to both Ele, his family and friends. He is survived by his (Wife), Daelene Marie VanGorkum Seumanutusa, 2 Daughters, Saumanuia "Sau" Kathleen Lokeni Seumanutusa and Fa’alogoifo "Ifo" Daelene Seumanutusa. (Brother) Agaese “Knife” Seumanutusa, (Sis-In-Law) Vanessa Fern Taufalele Seumanutusa, (Nephew) Damien Samuelu Galuvao, (Nephew) Faaiuga Artorius “Junior” Seumanutusa, (Niece) Falefia Maitai Sheri Seumanutusa He is preceded in death by his Parents, (Father) Naea Fa’aiuga Seumanutusa & (Mother) Saumanuia Lokeni Seumanutusa. And 2 of his siblings (Sister) Falefia Seumanutusa McKenzie and (Brother) Fa’aiuga Seumanutusa,JR.

Fagatoele Seumanutusa

April 29, 1969 - June 24, 2023