David Kaohi Kaleikau Jr.

David Kaohi Kaleikau Jr., passed away on Friday April 21, 2023, at Parkway Senior Living in Blue Springs, Missouri, one month before his 92nd birthday. Funeral service will be 3:00 p.m., Friday, May 5, 2023, at Good Shepherd Community of Christ, 4341 Blue Ridge Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64133 with cremation to follow. The family will greet friends from 2:00 p.m. until service time Friday at the church.

David was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on May 17, 1931, to David Kaleikau Sr. and Viola Kaleikau (Voeller). David grew up in the community of Papakolea with his brothers Austin Kaleikau, Marcelo and Gilbert Pagat, and sister Sybil Pruett (Sisma). He attended McKinley High School and participated in student government and athletics.

David received his A.A. degree in Liberal Arts from Graceland College, Lamoni, Iowa where he was a member of the student council, choir, and various sports. He also studied at the University of Hawaii, Honolulu; Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Missouri; and the University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He worked on the YMCA Leader’s Program as Program Director in Honolulu, and was an Associate Editor of the Sociological Magazine at the University of Hawaii.

David and Henrietta Leinani Cachola were friends through the years. Henrietta was a graduate of Kamehameha Schools in Honolulu, Hawaii, and the Graceland University School of Nursing (Independence Sanitarium and Hospital School of Nursing), in Independence Missouri. They were married on December 19, 1953, by Community of Christ (RLDS) Apostle, Charles Hield, in Kansas City, Missouri.

David had a strong foundation in the church growing up in the Makiki congregation in Hawaii, and especially through the encouragement of his mother Viola, and mentors Howard F. “Pop” and Eriel “Mom” Miller, whose home in Kansas City, Missouri was a gathering place for students from Hawaii. In addition, two life changing events also served to shape David’s spiritual journey – witnessing the attack on Pearl Harbor from the back porch of his home when he was10 years old, and later a near-drowning when he was spear fishing, pulled underwater by an undertow, and saved by a friend in Hawaii - both strengthened his faith in God and purpose.

David served as a full time minister for the Community of Christ Church (RLDS) in 1953. Church assignments included ministerial and administrative positions with the Missouri Development Area (Jefferson City, Missouri), French Polynesia Mission (Papeete,Tahiti), Kaw Valley District (Lawrence, Kansas), Waterloo-Clinton District (Coralville, Iowa); Missionary to Hawaii and Pastor of the Hilo Congregation; Assistant to the Center Stake President, and Associate Pastor to Stone Church (Independence, Missouri); and Greater Los Angeles Stake (Orange, California). He retired on November 30, 1987 and held the priesthood office of Evangelist Patriarch Emeritus.

Following retirement, he continued to provide ministry in the Orange, California congregation and also worked for the Durham Company for 12 years to provide transportation for special education students. In 2004, David and Henrietta returned to Independence, Missouri to be closer to family and friends. Both were devoted members of the Community of Christ Good Shepherd Congregation, Laurel Club, Whispering Meadows HOA Board of Directors, Hawaiian Civic Club of Kansas City, as well as Chaplains at Centerpoint Medical Center for ten years. David had a special lifelong calling of service and ministry.

David enjoyed spending time with the family. He loved to laugh, joke, play catch, playfully wrestle with the kids on the living room floor, and he was a big supporter of the kids sporting events, especially their volleyball matches, from high school thru college. David continued that tradition with his grandkids by supporting their many activities. One of his favorite pastimes was singing the “Hawaiian Wedding Song” with Henrietta at church gatherings and special events, and they sang this song at each of their four children’s weddings. David lived his life to the very end, as a servant minister and man of peace for the Lord Jesus Christ.

We thank God for his time on earth, and for the life changing impact he made in the lives of many people, from mainland America to the islands of the sea. Kind, caring, patient, hardworking, good provider, movie buff, reader, baritone singer, hiker, preacher, camp director, pioneer, huge supporter of the kids and grandkids, dearly loved and greatly missed - “Dad” was awesome!

David is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 70 years, Henrietta Leinani Kaleikau, and their children: Dennis (Sandy), Liane, Robert (Cynthia), and Edward (Lori). They have nine grandchildren: Jessica Sutherland (Matty); Daniel Kaleikau (Sara); Jason Marshall (Blake); Leinani Stout (Austin); Taylor Kaleikau (Bre); Jace Kaleikau (Katie); Adam Kaleikau (Brianna); Leslie Lambert (Anthony); and Grant Kaleikau. They have eight great grandchildren: Logan Dennison; Noah Kaleikau; Maggie Kaleikau; Talan Stout; Mehlo Stout; Bodi Stout; Kai Kaleikau; and Lazaro Lambert. He has two brothers, Marcelo Pagat and Gilbert Pagat, and a sister, Sybil Pruett.

David was preceded in death by: his father and mother David Kaleikau Sr. and Viola Pagat (Voeller), step father Marcelo Pagat Sr., and brother Austin Kaleikau.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in David’s name to the Graceland University - Kaleikau Family Volleyball Endowed Scholarship Fund.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel (816) 373-3600).