Mata'ese Tiafau Gasu

Father was born on February 11, 1933, in Satupa'itea, Samoa, to Pule Talafu Gas« and Uga Fuimaono. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Sumuletu Togi Gas«, Liaga Gas« (died at 7-years-old), Talafu Pule Gas«, and Asiata Liaga Gas«; only sister, Samoatu Gas«; and daughter, Margaret Ah Kuoi (ne Gas«). His service as a Labor Missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints took him to various islands such as the Cook Islands, Rarotonga, Samoa, American Samoa, then finishing his Labor Mission at La'ie, Oahu, where he was endowed in the Hawaiian LDS Temple. He was instrumental in the construction of the dormitories on the BYU-Hawaii campus and with the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC).Father's desire to continue the serve the Lord was just starting in 1989, while on a six-month mission at Desert Ranch, Utah. Following that, he and mother were called as stake missionaries in Samoa in the Family History Department from 1994 -1996; this also gave father the opportunity to be an Ordinance worker. Their knowledge and skills were needed with the Family History Department in Sacramento, California, and they willingly went to serve there from 1997 -1999. One more short time mission of six months in 2014, at the Sandy Vegetable Garden, and then they both rested. On August 16, 1963, at the Terrace Ballroom, in Salt Lake City, Father laid eyes upon a beautiful Utahan woman who was attending a dance there. Her name, Kathleen Ellen Thomas. Love won their hearts and they wed in the Salt Lake LDS Temple, June 25, 1964, with Elder Marion G. Romney conducting the ceremony. They were one of first interracial couples married and sealed in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.Their union produced eight children, Samuel Mata'ese Gas«, Sarah Kathleen Pupunu (ne Gas«), Margaret Mata'ese Ah Kuoi (ne Gas«), Thomas Mata'ese Gas«, Louellen Mata'ese Tafua (ne Gas«), Puletaife'e Mata'ese Gas«, Ugatagi Mata'ese Bloomfield (ne Gas«), and Edward Siona Mata'ese Gas«; and 33 grandchildren. Father's spirit was full of energy, driven to serving others, but health challenges presented obstacles and family was there to support him through it, especially Mother. He was a very simple man who didn't need or want many things. The most important thing in his life was his testimony of the church, the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that he willingly shared with family and friends. Place of Birth:Satupa'itea, SamoaPlace of Death:Kearns, Utah