Samuel Va'inga-'i-Moana Fakatou, age 92, a native of Tonga and a respected leader of the Tongan community in Salt Lake City, died Thursday, April 23, 1992 in Salt Lake City, Utah at 6:30 p.m.
Born February 21, 1900 in Mapelu-mo-e-lau, Felemea, Ha'apai, Tonga to Samuela Fakatou-Ma'u and 'Ateleita Fifita (Loloko). Married Helene Hedwig Snaft, June 27, 1933 at Nuku'alofa, Tongatapu, Tonga; later solemnized February 1, 1956 in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple.Mr. Fakatou was employed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, first by the Salt Lake LDS Temple from 1956-67, then by the Translation Services, now the Translation Department, from 1967 until his retirement in 1970.
He was a very dedicated and active member of the LDS Church, a High Priest and an ordained Patriarch, set apart on March 15, 1978 by President Thomas S. Monson as Salt Lake Granite Stake's Patriarch. He served in various capacities in the Church which included being counselor to two mission presidents in Tonga, President Evon W. Huntsman and President D'Monte W. Coombs. He served three full-time proselyting missions and three teaching missions with his wife for the Church in the Tongan Mission.
He was one of the many Tongans who were sent by the Church, at their own individual expense, to the LDS Church Maori Agriculture College (MAC) in New Zealand, where he graduated in 1925 at the head of his class for which he received a gold pocket watch and ring. He not only graduated with honors from his academic classes but also in his religious classes. He served as a teacher at the first LDS school in Tonga, called Makeke, where he later served as a principal.
He was preceded in death by his wife on March 13, 1988, when she was 93 years old, and by all his six brothers and two sisters.
Survived by son, Rodney M. Fakatou, Salt Lake City; stepson, Harold E. Schulke, New Zealand; daughters, Mrs. David S. (Mary T.) Brown, Salt Lake City; and Mrs. John Richard (Ivoni S.) McPhie, Salt Lake City; 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Saturday,
11 a.m., Granite Stake Tabernacle, 2005 South 900 East. Viewing Friday 7-10 p.m. at 5850 South 900 East, and Saturday one hour prior at the Church. Interment: Redwood Memorial Estates.
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