Download PhotoAs the restored gospel of Jesus Christ spreads throughout the world, every country has a pioneer that helped establish the work. In the island nation of Palau, such a pioneer passed away on December 27, 2025. Tadao “Tommy” Sakuma was the first native Palauan to be baptized, in December 1978. Since then, the Sakumas have been a fixture of love and support to missionaries and local members alike.
As word spread about Brother Sakuma’s passing, thoughts and memories came pouring in regarding Tommy and his sweet wife Miriam. She passed away several years ago, yet decades of missionaries were blessed by Tommy and Miriam.
In 1983 Brother Sakuma helped Elder Scott Lieber with the first scout troop in Palau. He was the Palauan parent that accompanied the group on campouts, and his son Sebangiol “Ray” Sakuma was part of the troop. Elder Lieber stated, “Tommy was a great support to our missionary efforts. The Sakumas always gave us young elders a feeling of home”.
In 1992-1994 Richard Barnes served on Palau and remembers “how kind Tommy was to us, no matter what else was going on in his life”. Elder Nate Hansen served in 2001-2002 and said, “When Brother Sakuma was called as Branch President, he was all in, and ready to go!”
Current Branch President Jared Carlson remembers going to the Sakumas’ for dinner as a child, and Tommy always “telling great stories full of happy memories”. John Ngiraked Jr. has fond memories of Brother Sakuma “being his math and carpentry teacher at Palau High School”. Brother Ngiraked, a current high councilman living on Palau, was able to minister and pray with his beloved teacher a few days before his passing.
Sister Rachel Purcell served in 2013-2014 and recalled, “Brother Sakuma was such a kind-hearted person. He always greeted you with a smile, and always shared food with us. He made us missionaries feel like we were home”.
Being a nation’s first native convert, Brother Sakuma truly lived up to his status as a pioneer for Palau. He and Miriam were sealed in the Manila, Philippines Temple on November 19, 1995.
A few months before Tommy’s death, Elder Scott and Sister Kristin Lieber returned to Palau as senior missionaries, forty years removed from young Elder Lieber’s service. There was joy and happiness as they reunited with Brother Sakuma and his son Ray. The Liebers witnessed Tommy’s joy for life as he would still dance at community events, then return to his wheelchair. Elder Lieber observed several local Palauans stopping by to pay respects to “Rubak Sakuma” at these events.
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Download PhotoEven his son Ray now carries his father’s legacy of love and smiles, welcoming people to Palau in his role as Director of Guest Relations for Palau Pacific Resort. Speaking with his old scout leader Elder Lieber, Ray Sakuma shared, “My dad passed away right before his New Year’s Day birthday. Now he can celebrate his birthday by dancing with my mom in heaven”.
Brother Tadao “Tommy” Sakuma leaves a mark as the first Palauan baptized, but more importantly it is the lasting legacy of love he left in Palau over decades of service. His life shows us that true Christlike love echoes beyond the reaches of time itself.