Peter Seti Uluave, Sr., 81, passed away on August 8, 2024, surrounded by many loving family members. He was born July 28, 1943, on the island of Mu’a Niuafo’ou, Tonga to Solomone ’Ulu’ave and Salome Ikifilia Finau ’Ulu’ave as the fifth of twelve children. Peter married Sheryl Allen in 1965 in the Laie, Hawaii Temple, and they went on to have nine children: Lile (Ben), Nani (Mike), Luana (Jason), Peter (Connie), Maile (Mike), Ivalani (Jonny), Kalisi (Kindra), Kivalu (Kimber), and Saia (Kira). Peter is survived by his devoted wife, his children and their spouses, 38 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and a beloved extended Uluave family.

Peter’s lifelong commitment to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gave him opportunities to serve others through many callings. He was the first branch president of the first Tongan branch in Provo, a patriarch, a high councilman, and a temple worker and sealer. He and Sheryl also served as full-time missionaries in the San Francisco, CA, Rapid City, SD, and Bismarck, ND missions.

Peter deeply valued education. He blessed the lives of thousands of students during his decades as a mathematics professor and department head at Utah Valley University. This commitment to education is reflected in his children, who collectively have achieved nine bachelor’s degrees and ten post-graduate degrees. Outside the classroom, Peter was an enthusiastic BYU football fan, and he loved playing rugby, golf and racquetball for many years. As a young man he loved swimming in the ocean, freediving, and spearfishing, and he had the eel bite scars to prove it.

For Grandpa Pete, there was no such thing as “too many children.” His house was home not only to his own children, but also to cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and neighbors—as well as dogs, cats, chickens, and peacocks. If anyone asked what kind of work Peter did, he always answered, “I am a farmer!” He enjoyed his cows and taking his grandchildren out on his four-wheeler to feed the animals. Being with the kids and farm animals brought him great joy.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 17, 2024, at the Sunset Stake Center, 1560 South 1100 West, Provo, Utah. The family will receive friends at the church Friday, August 16, from 6-9:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9-10:30 a.m. prior to services. Interment will be in the Provo City Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.bergmortuary.com.