Iakopo Poyer

Iakopo “Jake” Poyer, Age 54 of Virginia Beach, VA Sunrise: 09FEB1961, Born in Lauli’I, American Samoa, was called home by his Lord and Savior: 17MAY2015 at home. LCDR Iakopo “Jake” Poyer, USN (Retired) He was predeceased by his Mother, Maina Meititi Poyer and Father, Poyer Moliva’a, his brothers Asopa’epa’e and Epaferoti (Max) and his sister Taumao’e. Cherishing his memories and love are his brothers, Aeto, Seuga, Tanielu, Fa’amanu, Falagi, Inosia, Faalaeo and Jakes twin brother Esau and their spouses and many nieces and nephews and extended family, friends and church family. Born and raised in Lauli’i American Samoa. He attended the University of Albuquerque before he began his Military career by enlisting in the US Navy in 1981. As Enlisted, he served on the USS McKee (AS-41), Naval Marine Base, Point Loma, CA, Naval Station Iceland, Keflevic, Iceland, the USS Doyle (FFG-39), Naval Station Mayport, FL, Naval Air Station, Willow Grove, PA, and Bos’n on USS Shreveport (LPD-12), Naval Station, Norfolk, VA. After being Commisioned as an Officer, (Go Mustangs!), he served as 1st LT on USS Nassau (LHA-4), NS, Norfolk, VA, USS Merrimack (OE-179), NS, Norfolk, VA, USS Denver (LPD-9), NS, San Diego, CA, President, Board of Inspections and Survey (INSURV), Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, VA, Naval Special Warfare Group 4 Staff, Little Creek Expeditionary Base, Norfolk, VA, Senior Department Head, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), and Port Operations Officer for the largest Naval port in the world – Naval Station Norfolk, VA. His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (5 awards), Navy Achievement Medal (six awards) and Good Conduct Medal (3 awards). He was especially proud of being chosen the Number 1 Officer by his peers in the Wardroom while on the USS Abraham Lincoln. (2007-2009) His retirement was in 2009. He was very active in his local community, but was also the past CEO an currently an advisor for his beloved Faga’itua High School Alumni Association (Go Vikings!) in American Samoa. He was the Chairman and co-founder of the Pacific Islanders American Group of Virginia (501c3) for the past 8 years and organized the local Polynesian Festival at the beach every year that many people, near and far, have taken part in and enjoyed. www.pacificislandersofva.org. He enjoyed golf, golf and more golf and breakfast with his friends. Survived by his wife of 25 years, Joy (Volk) Poyer and his children, Patricia Maina, who is a 3rd Year Law Student at William Mitchell School of Law in Saint Paul, MN and Derek Esau, who is a Senior majoring in Criminal Justice at Longwood University in Farmville, VA and BabyTheCat, who was his shadow.

A Funeral Service will be held Saturday 10am May 30, 2015 at Carrow Baptist Church 5545 Susquehanna Drive Virginia Beach, VA 23462. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.woodlawngroup.com

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to, The childrens college fund, via Mrs. Joy Poyer.