In Memory of Aulama Lemalu Sr

Aulama Lemalu Sr. was born April 13, 1969 in Pago Pago Samoa. Aulama grew up in Oxnard CA and attended Hueneme high school where he excelled in football. Aulama had multiple offers to play football at the next level but ended up enlisting in the Navy and marrying his wife Michelle. They had a daughter in 1988 Tamara and then their son Aulama Jr in 1990. He served in the Navy on the USS WASP stationed in Norfolk Virginia. He returned home to Oxnard with his family a short time after Lama Jr. was born and started to raise his family here. The family moved to Arizona where they'd settle for 18+ years. Aulama served as a mentor to troubled teenagers. He helped his community and touched many young lives. He coached multiple sports football, baseball, basketball and even track. Lama Sr. and Michelle had another child Tanielu in 2003. Aulama loved his kids. He did everything in his power to make sure they had the best life possible. He bragged about them and was tough on them. He never missed a game or even a practice. Lama also helped care for his Dad John Otineru and his mother Akenese Otineru. He helped send his oldest Tamara to college where she attended BYU and did track. The family returned to Oxnard at the request of Lama Jr. for his senior year. Aulama Sr didn't want to move back but he did it for his kids. He began coaching at Hueneme high school for the football team and worked at a nonprofit where he would help kids stay out of the gangs. Aulama loved helping kids and wanted to make the communities better. Aulama Sr suffered from many medical problems and had heart problems. He was so proud of his Daughter Tamara and all the things that she accomplished he was so excited when she graduated from BYU. One of his greatest days was when Lama Jr. married his wife Alex Gambala. He was so happy that day and loved Alex as his own. He told Lama Jr that this was one of the greatest days of his life and he is so happy for us! His pride and joy was his son Tanielu. Tanielu was his everything and wanted T to be great at everything and would do so much with T. He loved coaching T for the warriors and being a fan when he played for the packers, Yellowjacket's and his alma mater Hueneme. He was so excited to be a grandpa to Lama Jr and Alex children. He loved them so much and would spoil them to no ends! Aulama Sr will be missed! His legacy will live in forever and will never be forgotten. He is survived by his children Daughter Tamara, Aulama Jr and his wife Alex and their children, Tanielu, and his mother Akenese Otineru. We love you Pop and will forever miss you!