Tamateitaua Ieriko Ilaoa was born on April 20, 1948 in Pava’ia’I, Amerika Samoa to Tautalamusu Tuana’itau and Ieriko Ripley where he spent more than half of his life growing up.
Tamateitaua attended Leone High School amd later graduated from Samoana High School in 1967. He excelled in school winning many awards for Math.
He spent his early days working at Faga’alu Hospital in the Pharmacy department. He was also involved in School Lunch Departments in Amerika Samoa and served as an Administrative service for Office of Territorial Administration On Aging (TAOA). He moved to Seattle, WA in 1989 and became a Janitorial Supervisor for True Service.
He had a passion for helping people as he served as a counselor for Chemical Dependency and domestic Violence at Asian-American Chemical depedency Treatment services Feb 2007- Dec 2010.
He enjoyed watching sports in his downtime and cheering for the Seattle Seahawks
He was baptized to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in March of 2009 and was sealed to his eternal companion Uilasa Ilaoa at the Seattle Bellevue Temple in 2010. He served faithfully and held several callings in his Highline Samoan Ward throughout the years.
Tamate is survived by his wife, Uilasa Ilaoa; Brother, Faupusa Laufau (Iuliana Laufau); Sister Niualua Poueu; his children: Charles Tamate Ilaoa (Lethia Ilaoa), Clint Robin Ilaoa (Palefuiono Ilaoa); Calvin Vaiatoga Ilaoa (Tammy Ilaoa), Tamate Jr. Ilaoa (Lupieta Ilaoa); Ruby Tautalamusu Laufau and Joshua Soara Ilaoa along with 14 Grandchildren, 3 Great Grandchildren and many nieces/nephews he raised throughout the years. Tamateitaua Ieriko Ilaoa is preceded in death by his parents and eldest brother Soara Lualemana.
His celebration of life will be held at Provo Utah Tongan 1st Stake Center on Friday, August 16th, 2024 located 1625 S Slate Canyon Dr, Provo, UT 84606 and interment at Provo City Cemetary located at 610 S State St, Provo, UT 84606.
Condolences can be offered at www.springcreekmortuary.com.
