Falepule Matagi Alo
June 24, 1953 – September 19, 2025
Falepule Matagi Alo, known to all as Pule—a true free spirit, loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend—passed away on Friday, September 19, 2025, at Murray IHC Hospital. He died of cardiogenic shock after a long battle with heart disease, surrounded by his wife and children (physically and digitally), extended family, and friends.
Pule lived a life defined by faith in Jesus Christ, family, sacrifice, and an unwavering dedication to uplifting and serving others.
Early Life
Pule was born on June 24, 1953, in Faleniu, American Samoa, to Matagi Uga Alo and Savilimalu Tofilau Alaiasa. His journey began briefly on the islands before his family moved to Laie, Hawaii, where he roamed freely and explored as a child.
He attended Laie Elementary for several years before completing his elementary schooling in California. He grew up in Azusa and Covina, developing deep relationships he retained throughout his life. He cherished his youth memories which set a firm foundation of loyalty for the rest of his life.
It was in Utah, however, where Pule planted his final roots—first in Ogden, then for 16 years in Rose Park and Taylorsville, and finally in Sandy, Utah, where he lived for 20 years.
Faith
Pule was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Throughout his life, he developed a deep love for the gospel and a firm testimony of Jesus Christ. He was an avid reader of current events and the Book of Mormon.
He was ordained a Priest, Elder, Seventy, and High Priest and served in many ward and stake callings. Of all his callings, however, the one he loved most was serving as a Nursery Leader alongside his wife.
His faith remained an important part of who he was and how he lived his life.
Marriage and Eternal Family
On August 11, 1979, Pule married his eternal sweetheart, Dottie Henrietta Togisala. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Ogden Temple in Ogden, Utah, by their close friend and patriarch from Sunset, Utah, George Samuel Reid.
Pule’s deep love for his sweetheart was evident throughout their life together. Wherever one went, the other went as well.
Their marriage was filled with family, faith, service, laughter, music, dancing, sacrifice, and the ordinary moments of a life built together.
Education
Pule attended Laie Elementary in his early years and later completed his elementary years in Azusa. He graduated in 1972, from Gladstone High School in Covina, California.
He continued his education at Citrus College in Glendora, California; Weber College in Ogden, Utah; and Phoenix University in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he majored in Juvenile Justice.
A Career of Service and Mentorship
Pule served for 25 years as a Youth Counselor and Administrator in the Juvenile Justice system in Ogden and Salt Lake Counties, serving in Utah’s 2nd and 3rd Districts.
He dedicated his career to guiding at-risk youth toward brighter futures. He also became a strong leadership mentor to many staff members, consistently encouraging them to pursue higher education and greater opportunities in their own lives.
In 2020, Pule co-founded Robert’s Place, a nonprofit suicide prevention organization, and served on its Executive Board of Directors. This work of love continues to bless the lives of many.
His life of service was not simply about the positions he held. Pule believed in people. Whether working with a young person, mentoring a colleague, coaching an athlete, teaching a martial arts student, or talking with someone he had just met, he had a way of making people feel remembered.
A Lifetime in Martial Arts
Pule’s passion for martial arts spanned 52 years.
He began training at Red Dragon Karate in Azusa, California, under Grandmaster Lou Casamassa, earning his Brown Belt before moving to Utah in 1978.
He went on to achieve the distinguished rank of 8th Degree Black Belt in American Kenpo Karate under Grandmaster Paul Mills of American Kenpo Karate International, with whom he trained for 40 years. He was also privileged to test under Grandmaster Ed Parker, the founder of American Kenpo Karate and Director of the International Kenpo Karate Association.
Pule served on the Board of Directors of American Kenpo Karate International from its founding. He was also the owner and operator of the Ogden Academy of American Kenpo Karate for 12 years.
His specialty was self-defense and sparring, but his true passion was always working with individuals.
Pule possessed a remarkable gift for remembering names, faces, and the places associated with nearly everyone he met throughout his life. He especially loved meeting his own Polynesian people, no matter where life took him.
Football and His Boys
Beginning in 1997, Pule spent 25 years as a high school football linebacker coach.
He loved coaching “his boys” and watching them develop as athletes, graduate from high school, attend college, and grow into young men. His bonus and blessing was having the opportunity to coach all his sons at West High School.
Over the years, Pule coached at West High, East High, Judge Memorial, Granger High School, Hillcrest High School, Kearns High School, and Alta High School.
For Pule, coaching was about much more than football. It was another way to teach, mentor, encourage, and invest in young people.
The Man His Family Knew
For all of Pule’s accomplishments, his greatest devotion was to his family.
He made both small and great sacrifices to ensure his wife and children were secure and spent countless hours dedicated to meeting their needs. He made attending school musicals and plays, normal events with his family to support his son Mycal. Pule was also his daughter’s biggest fan when she played high school volleyball, basketball, and softball games.
His love for his grandchildren could be seen in the time he spent teaching them martial arts, football, and agility drills; attending and watching their sporting events; and simply goofing off and creating happy memories—including memories surrounding his famous “Oka” recipe.
Pule also had a special gift for ballroom dancing. He loved ballroom and Latin salsa dancing with his wife. He danced with his daughter at her wedding on the streets of Salt Lake City, and for many years he danced with Dottie’s mother, Teleni Togisala, at senior centers along the Wasatch Front.
And then there were his hats.
Hats became a signature part of Pule’s wardrobe and an unmistakable part of his style. Whether dressed upfor an occasion or simply going about his day, a hat often completed the look. Those who knew him could recognize that familiar combination of confidence, personality, and a little bit of flair that was simply Pule.
He will always be remembered as a dancer with style—and as a man who knew how to wear a hat.
Pule treasured his relationships with his surviving brothers and sisters on both sides of his family. Though he was older than all of them, age never created distance between them. He stayed connected, showed up, and supported their families through gatherings, celebrations, and the important moments of their lives.
He had an especially soft spot for these younger siblings, who represented the last of their generation. He loved them deeply and seemed to carry a quiet tenderness for them throughout the years. Whether the connection came through the Alo family or through his marriage to Dottie, Pule did not measure family by bloodlines alone. Dottie’s brothers and sisters became his brothers and sisters, and the bond he shared with them was that of blood.
That love extended to a host of nieces and nephews. Pule knew them by name and story. He remembered who they were, where they belonged, and something about their lives. Being a brother and an uncle was another expression of the way Pule lived his life: staying connected, showing up, and making family matter.
Pule loved people, conversation, laughter, jokes, and music. His laughter, congeniality, conversations, and charisma filled the spaces around him.
Through all the different roles he carried throughout his life—husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, disciple, counselor, administrator, teacher, martial artist, coach, mentor, dancer, and friend—his family remained at the center.
His Family
Pule is survived by his devoted wife, Dottie Togisala Alo.
He is also survived by his children: Christopher Samuel Alo; Sterling Aisa Alo (Erica Tania Kaanongataa); Perinisese Teleni Alo-Stotler (Robert Siu Stotler); and Mycal Ruben Alo (Dawnkatie Taufui).
His grandchildren include:
Robert’s children: Rhonnah, Tony, Xoe, who is serving in the Billings Montana Spanish Speaking Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Santana.
Christopher’s children: Tyani, Falepule Matagi Alo II, Johnny, Quincee, and Bradshaw.
Sterling’s children: Jania, Sam, Asinate, Siosiana Grace, UgaRawbert, and Aiga.
Perinisese’s children: Tyrone Taisi, Rio, Moemoe, and Bobby Siu (Robert Siu Jr.).
Mycal’s son: Legend Feso.
Siblings, Nieces, and Nephews
Pule is survived by his siblings: Eileen Alo Gabbard, Pule Leonard Alo, Pinky Tautalatasi Roberts, and Tusa Alo Fonoti.
He also shared a strong bond with Dottie’s siblings: Lloyd Togisala, Naomi Togisala Sabin, Elizabeth Togisala Wilberg, Ruben Togisala, and Max Togisala.
He is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews whom he knew by name and story.
Preceded in Death
Pule was preceded in death by his beloved eldest son, Robert Uga Alo; his father, Matagi Uga Alo; his mother, Savilimalu Tofilau Alaiasa Alo; and his siblings: Punipuao Alo Lopati, Mailei Alo, Tufi Alo Laita, and Laumua Alo Aiono.
Services
A private family viewing was held at Pule’s home on October 9.
A family viewing and funeral services were held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 1700 East 8600 South, on October 9–10, 2025.
Interment followed at Sandy City Cemetery, located at 700 East 9000 South.
The family extends their deepest gratitude to the staff at Dalton-Hoopes Mortuary for their kindness, compassion, and attention to every detail during this tender time.
Until We Meet Again
Pule lived many lives within one lifetime.
He was a husband and father, a grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend; a disciple of Jesus Christ; a mentor to young people; a leader, martial artist, football coach, dancer, and a man who never seemed to forget a face.
But to those who loved him most, he was simply Pule.
His laughter, jokes, love songs, conversations, charisma, and unmistakable presence will be deeply missed.
His legacy lives in his wife, children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces, and nephews; in the young people he guided; in the athletes and martial artists he taught; in the colleagues he mentored; in the people he served; and in the countless lives made better because their paths crossed his.
Rest in love, Pule. Your legacy lives on in every life you touched.
See you on the other side of the veil.
-Falepule Matagi Alo-
