Vaea Tulikihihifo Jr

Today we gather with heavy hearts, but also with deep gratitude, to honor and remember the life of Vaea Tulikihihifo Jr.—a son, a brother, a husband, a father, a disciple of Christ, and a friend to so many.

Junior was born on February 22, 1979, to Sinivevela & Vaea Sr. Tulikihihifo at Harbor UCLA Hospital—a healthy, strong baby weighing 8½ pounds. From the very beginning, he showed strength and resilience. At just eight months old, he was rushed to the hospital with meningitis, fighting for his life. But even then, God had more for him to do. He survived, and that fighting spirit would follow him for the rest of his life.

He was baptized as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at eight years old in 1987, beginning a lifelong relationship with God that would define who he was. Junior attended Roosevelt Elementary, Will Rogers Middle School, and Leuzinger High School. Like many young men, he struggled for a season—but God placed the right people in his path. His mother called Uncle Joel, who took him in to live with him and his family in Utah and made sure he finished school at Timpanogos High. With love, determination, Junior graduated in 1997. He also earned his Eagle Scout, a reflection of his discipline, service, and leadership.

That same year, Junior began working at FedEx. But more importantly, in 1998, he answered a higher call and served a mission in the Auckland, New Zealand Mission, Tongan speaking. For two years, he gave his heart to God and His children, sharing the gospel and lifting souls. When he returned in 2000, he went back to work—but his faith had become the foundation of his life.

Junior married Tolimoto Ikahihifo in 2001. They were blessed with two beautiful sons, Darian and Viliami. In May of 2003, while returning home from his sister’s wedding, tragedy struck, and Moto passed away. The Lord spared Jr’s life, and between then and now, he has been such a light to so many. In the midst of unimaginable grief, Junior returned to California to raise his boys with the help of his parents and sisters—showing again his devotion to family.

In September 2003, Junior met the love of his life, Nani. For the next 22 years, they would walk side by side through every season of life. They were married on November 3, 2005 in Inglewood, California. They had 10 children: Jaida, Elder Tulikihihifo , Levi, Maine, Vaea, Ezra, Lucia, Misi, DonLehua, and Isime’eli.

Junior worked tirelessly to provide for them. He continued at FedEx until 2006 when he was chosen in a lottery to work on the docks at the Port of Los Angeles. Later, he worked at McStarlight and Worldwide Flight Services. In 2014, on a leap of faith, Junior and Nani flipped a coin and moved to Utah. That same year, he was hired at Costco, where he worked faithfully for 11 years, while also working at FedEx Ground to make sure his family never went without.

On Wednesday, January 7, 2026, as he did so often in life, Junior was doing what came most naturally to him—supporting the people he loved and mourning with those who mourned. In the midst of caring for others, and while simply grabbing baby formula for his youngest child, he was suddenly called to the other side. There is something heartbreakingly beautiful in that truth: that his final moments reflected the way he lived—selfless, present, and devoted to his family.

Junior was a man of sacrifice. He would ride his bike through freezing snow so his wife could have the car to take the kids to school. He never complained. He never thought of himself first.

Junior was a servant of God and of the people. Whether he was ministering, helping customers at Costco, or offering words of wisdom to a stranger, he made people feel seen, valued, and loved. He was the life of the party in every room, full of laughter, warmth, and joy. He loved spiritual quotes, loved deeply, and gave freely—even when he had little.

He would be the last to leave church or family gatherings, making sure everything was cleaned, everything was in order, and everyone was okay.

Junior didn’t just live—he loved. He didn’t just speak—he lifted. He didn’t just walk through this world—he left it better.

We will miss his voice. We will miss his laughter. We will miss his strength. But most of all, we will miss his heart of gold!

And though we mourn today, we do not grieve without hope. Because we know the man he was, the life he lived, and the faith he carried. We know that God welcomed him home with the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

We love you, Junior.
And we will carry you with us always.