Panama Pasami

Panama Pasami, Sr. of Litchfield Park, Arizona passed away March 4, 2023 at the age of 75. He was born in the village of Saleimoa, Samoa on July 1, 1947 to Pasami Tu’ua and Aitogi Taulapapa. He was preceded in death by both of his parents, sister Se’e Sema Sagote, brother-in-law Pio Sagote, brother Taunaola Pasami, and brother Samoso Pasami.

Panama was raised in the village of Aleipata until he was a teenager. He moved to Leone, American Samoa, where he was raised by his sister Se’e and her husband Pio Sagote. In 1966, he graduated from Leone High School. While in American Samoa, Panama worked as a delivery driver for Coca Cola. On one of his routes in 1968, he met the love of his life, Lina, and they married in 1972. Together they moved to San Francisco, California. Panama then joined the United States Army in 1973. During his time in the army, Panama served in Operation Desert Storm Gulf War. He retired after 21 years of service. Panama and Lina moved to the West Valley, where he worked at the United States Postal Service for 17 years. Panama and Lina moved to Vacaville, California to help take care of his ailing mother-in-law. Unfortunately, in 2017 Panama was diagnosed with dementia. As a result, he and Lina moved back to the West Valley to be with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Lina helped him through his struggles every day until she suffered a stroke in 2019 which caused a loss of mobility on her left side. In 2019, Panama and Lina moved in with their children. They cared for Panama and loved him until his final breath.

Panama is survived by his wife of 51 years, Lina Pasami, his children Agnes Pasami Niko, Panama “Carlos” Pasami, Jr., and Gabriel Pasami, brothers Sale Pasamie and Tiava Pasami, and sisters Tamalii Prichard, Tinousi Jennings and Lupe Montilliano. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren, Panama “Alex” Pasami, Arielle Pasami Barrios, Angel Pasami, Katerina Niko, Anthony Niko, Nikolas Niko, Gabriella “Irie” Pasami, and Deja Pasami, and two great-grandchildren, Keoni Niko and Kailani Niko.

A visitation will begin at 9am Friday, March 31 at Thompson Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow at 1:30pm at the National Memorial Cemetery.