Areta Floyd Soifua “JR”, age 52, passed away on March 9, 2017 surrounded by his loved ones after an 18-month battle with brain cancer. Services will be Saturday March 18, 2017 at the Church of Jesus Christ LDS on SW 19th St in Blue Springs Mo. Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. and funeral at 11 a.m. Burial will take place following the funeral at Oak Ridge Memory Gardens, Independence, Mo.
Areta was born in Auckland, New Zealand to Areta Soifua SR and Lola Soifua. At a young age, Areta and his family moved to the US and made their way to Jackson County, Missouri. He was raised in Blue Springs and there, met the love of his life in the Golden Regiment marching band at Blue Springs High School. After serving a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Oslo, Norway, Areta returned home and married Kelly Ann McCabe. Soon after, Areta was stationed at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. He served in the Army for four years before returning home to Blue Springs where he raised his family just down the road from the house where he had grown up.
Areta had a deep connection with music and was a very talented singer. He also enjoyed working with his hands and was an accomplished craftsman. In his spare time, he enjoyed wood carving. For anyone who knew him, Areta was a bright smiling face. He always had a story to tell or a joke to crack. He will be missed by many.
Areta is survived by his mother, Lola, wife, Kelly, four children: Jessica, Chelsea, Aleka, and Myranda and an enormous extended family with whom he was very close.
Arrangements: Royer-Hays Funeral Home, Blue Springs, MO 816-229-5551