Obituary for David Soliai Gardner
David lafeta Soliai Gardner passed away January 4th, 2021 on a SCUBA diving trip in Hawaii doing what he loved in a place he loved.
He was born November 4, 1961 in Ephrata Washington to Joyce Gardner and Fotu Soliai. David was blessed beyond measure to have two large families who adored him. David was raised in Quincy, Washington by his mother Joyce and stepfather Max Gardner but also loved to travel and see his Soliai Family whenever he could.
A cherished moment in David’s life was his first trip to Samoa when he was 7. Being the oldest grandchild, he felt connected to his family and culture. At this time, David developed his love of travel and adventure. He returned again when he was 12. David developed a connection to the ocean and felt the need to place his feet in the water and face it straight on whenever he was near.
David attended Quincy schools all twelve years; graduating in 1980. He was a member of Boy Scouts, 4-H, and even did Rodeo for a short time. He was in track and wrestling. While still in high school, David began working at Farmway Implement as a mechanic and continued working there for many years.
He later went on to open C7 Bar and Grill in Quincy.
David had a love for travel, adventure and exploring. He enjoyed planning trips and events for family and friends, then sitting back and watching them all enjoy themselves. He brought so many of us together over the years, we are beyond grateful for the memories and experiences we would have missed without him.
David definitely had a charismatic personality and would let you know what he was thinking. He was generous, kind and anyone who ever had the opportunity to meet him would always remember “Chief,” a nickname he had been given in high school by his friends.
His sister Lotoa shared this story. "While at our Soliai family reunion in Idaho last July I had asked David where the title Chief 7 came from and he told me it had to do with when he came to Samoa for our paternal granfathers birthday and upon returning to Washington he had to tell his class about his trip and explained that his grandfather was a High Chief back in Samoa. From then on, people started calling him Chief.
Our paternal grandfather is Paramount High Chief Soliai Pinemua of the village of Nuuuli in American Samoa, a territory of the United States of America. His father, Paramount High chief Soliai Muliufi was one of the signatores of the Deed of Cession to the US. Our village of Nuuuli is one of the largest villages on the island. Our father Fotu, also held the Chief title, Laaulegau, meaning "stick or branch that cannot be broken". There are different types of chiefs in Samoa, but David comes from a lineage of the highest type of chief, Paramount High Chief."
He was larger than life, both in stature and personality. David had a smile that would light up a room that often had just a hint of mischief in it.
He was someone you could count on when you were in need. Never really wanting to be paid or paid back for his efforts, he would simply say, “Pass it on.”
He was most comfortable behind the scenes, working in the background, quietly making a difference through work or donations of money, time, materials, whatever was needed. He was a member of Quincy Moose Lodge and Quincy Rotary.
David loved music, hauling ass, The Simpsons, Star Trek, and soft serve ice cream.
Joyce feels her first mistake with David was purchasing him a mini bike when he was 8. From there on out he did everything to the max. He enjoyed riding his ATV’s, Snowmobiles, horses, motorcycles. He shared a love of SCUBA Diving and diesel trucks, pulling and racing.
Two major highlights of David's life were his son Skyler and granddaughter Audrey. He showed his pride of them in his own unique way and especially loved being a grand parent.
He will be dearly missed by so many.
He is survived by his son Skyler (Olivia) Soliai- Dunkin and granddaughter Audrey; His mother Joyce Gardner, siblings and their families Kally (Russ) Bryan, Ann Phelps, Lyn (Todd) Hoff, Tom (Jennifer) Gardner, Rand (Kaari) Gardner,
Vaofu’a Soliai-Solomona (Meki Solomona), Pinemua Soliai (deceased), Lotoa Soliai-Saena (Amu S. Saena-Galumalemana), Leone Soliai-Matu’u (Willard A. Matu’u), Luluvita Soliai-Suamataia (Anaoleloi Suamatai’a Jr.),
Faiaso Soliai, Lelelese Soliai-Vou (Alesana Vou), Noanoa Soliai-Talaiga (deceased), Aloali;i Soliai,
and his dear friend Julie Carbon.
Please leave a memory for the family or sign their online guestbook at www.scharbachs.com.
He was born November 4, 1961 in Ephrata Washington to Joyce Gardner and Fotu Soliai. David was blessed beyond measure to have two large families who adored him. David was raised in Quincy, Washington by his mother Joyce and stepfather Max Gardner but also loved to travel and see his Soliai Family whenever he could.
A cherished moment in David’s life was his first trip to Samoa when he was 7. Being the oldest grandchild, he felt connected to his family and culture. At this time, David developed his love of travel and adventure. He returned again when he was 12. David developed a connection to the ocean and felt the need to place his feet in the water and face it straight on whenever he was near.
David attended Quincy schools all twelve years; graduating in 1980. He was a member of Boy Scouts, 4-H, and even did Rodeo for a short time. He was in track and wrestling. While still in high school, David began working at Farmway Implement as a mechanic and continued working there for many years.
He later went on to open C7 Bar and Grill in Quincy.
David had a love for travel, adventure and exploring. He enjoyed planning trips and events for family and friends, then sitting back and watching them all enjoy themselves. He brought so many of us together over the years, we are beyond grateful for the memories and experiences we would have missed without him.
David definitely had a charismatic personality and would let you know what he was thinking. He was generous, kind and anyone who ever had the opportunity to meet him would always remember “Chief,” a nickname he had been given in high school by his friends.
His sister Lotoa shared this story. "While at our Soliai family reunion in Idaho last July I had asked David where the title Chief 7 came from and he told me it had to do with when he came to Samoa for our paternal granfathers birthday and upon returning to Washington he had to tell his class about his trip and explained that his grandfather was a High Chief back in Samoa. From then on, people started calling him Chief.
Our paternal grandfather is Paramount High Chief Soliai Pinemua of the village of Nuuuli in American Samoa, a territory of the United States of America. His father, Paramount High chief Soliai Muliufi was one of the signatores of the Deed of Cession to the US. Our village of Nuuuli is one of the largest villages on the island. Our father Fotu, also held the Chief title, Laaulegau, meaning "stick or branch that cannot be broken". There are different types of chiefs in Samoa, but David comes from a lineage of the highest type of chief, Paramount High Chief."
He was larger than life, both in stature and personality. David had a smile that would light up a room that often had just a hint of mischief in it.
He was someone you could count on when you were in need. Never really wanting to be paid or paid back for his efforts, he would simply say, “Pass it on.”
He was most comfortable behind the scenes, working in the background, quietly making a difference through work or donations of money, time, materials, whatever was needed. He was a member of Quincy Moose Lodge and Quincy Rotary.
David loved music, hauling ass, The Simpsons, Star Trek, and soft serve ice cream.
Joyce feels her first mistake with David was purchasing him a mini bike when he was 8. From there on out he did everything to the max. He enjoyed riding his ATV’s, Snowmobiles, horses, motorcycles. He shared a love of SCUBA Diving and diesel trucks, pulling and racing.
Two major highlights of David's life were his son Skyler and granddaughter Audrey. He showed his pride of them in his own unique way and especially loved being a grand parent.
He will be dearly missed by so many.
He is survived by his son Skyler (Olivia) Soliai- Dunkin and granddaughter Audrey; His mother Joyce Gardner, siblings and their families Kally (Russ) Bryan, Ann Phelps, Lyn (Todd) Hoff, Tom (Jennifer) Gardner, Rand (Kaari) Gardner,
Vaofu’a Soliai-Solomona (Meki Solomona), Pinemua Soliai (deceased), Lotoa Soliai-Saena (Amu S. Saena-Galumalemana), Leone Soliai-Matu’u (Willard A. Matu’u), Luluvita Soliai-Suamataia (Anaoleloi Suamatai’a Jr.),
Faiaso Soliai, Lelelese Soliai-Vou (Alesana Vou), Noanoa Soliai-Talaiga (deceased), Aloali;i Soliai,
and his dear friend Julie Carbon.
Please leave a memory for the family or sign their online guestbook at www.scharbachs.com.