Leituala Taula's Obituary
Leituala Taula, 87, passed away on Friday, May 31, 2019, in West Jordan, Utah. He was born July 25, 1931, in Uafato, Upolu, Western Samoa, the son of Tamate Taula and Luela Mulin’u Tala/Mauala Brown. He was the 9th of 12 children, 7 girls and 5 boys. Leituala was sealed to his parents in the New Zealand Temple in 1958, along with his sister Vafato Taula Fruean.
Leituala graduated from school in Sauniatu. In school he was part of the Young Adult Program called “The Silivia”. He was part of the school band and played the saxophone along with his cousin Malaeloa Brown. His brother, Lalovi, played the trombone with his cousin Vaifoa who played the trumpet, and they all practiced rigorously together after school. He married our mother, Atalina Purcell, in December 1963, in the New Zealand Temple. Leituala was a welder and plumber by trade. He would leave work and spend time volunteering at Deseret Industries. Leituala was a family man known for being frugal. He was dedicated to serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in any capacity that was asked of him. He enjoyed being in the service of others and was always focused on providing and taking care of his family. He would always come home with new clothes and especially new suits. He was a very well dressed man. Leituala married Elsa Taula on February 14, 1991 in the Salt Lake Temple. Together they served 3 missions for the church, 1 proselyting mission to Samoa, and 2 Temple missions, also in Samoa.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his 11 siblings, Maugaleo’o Taula, Tamate Taula, Iva Taula Moea’I, Faletoi Taula, Faitoto’a Taula, Lalovi Taula, Alofa Taula, Uafato Ruby Taula Fruean, Fasito’outa Taula, Fasiito’tai Taula and Tigi Taula. Leituala was last of his family.
Leituala is survived by current wife Elsa Pepe Taula and his first wife Atalina Purcell Hunt and their 4 children and grandchildren, Phillip and his late wife (Kainoa Taula) children include Koho’o (Jason Sauvao) Jazmin, Maluhia, Hamana, Nohea. Next Ruby (Robert Tialavea) their 5 children include Rachelle (Travis Gibson) and their 4 children Aaliyah, Travis Jr. Sefa, and Samia, RJ, Ryan (Tai) and their 3 children Ryan Jr, Tayson, and Dwayne, Roderick and his daughter Uailoa. Ida Lewis and her son DJ Lewis, and Leituala Taula Jr. and his children Kalani, Jaxon, Jordan, Jace, and Mya.
Celebration of life will be held on Wednesday June 5, 2019 at the Heritage 11th Ward Chapel on 3200 West and 7334 South in West Jordan, Utah. The viewing will be from 9 am -10 am, the Family Service from 10 am-11:30 am and the Bishops Service from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm.
Interment to follow at the West Jordan City Cemetery, 7800 South 1300 West, West Jordan, Utah. Flowers may be sent to the church by 9:00 am on Wednesday.
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