Zion Po'ofea Alcarion

Zion was born and raised in Oceanside, California. He was the definition of the class clown, always pulling pranks, making jokes, and being the funniest person in the room. He was not afraid to mess with his siblings or embarrass them. He moved to Reno, Nevada, his senior year in high school, meeting many lifelong friends and eating all the food at their houses. He enjoyed football, show choir, and seminary. It was during this time his testimony of Jesus Christ grew, and he decided to serve a mission.

When Zion became a missionary, he was ready to hit the pavement running, eager to find people to teach and to testify of Jesus Christ every chance he got. He taught, baptized, and influenced many as he preached the gospel. It was while serving in the New Hampshire, Manchester Mission that Zion and Shandi first met. Ten days after he was released from his mission, the two were engaged and married on December 1, 2016, in the Bountiful Utah Temple. Zion was excited to be a father and quickly welcomed three beautiful children into their forever family.

Zion served six years in the U.S. Navy, where he distinguished himself as a skilled aviator in the P-8 Poseidon, specializing in anti-submarine warfare. His dedication and excellence earned him the prestigious Naval Aircrewman wings, a token of his expertise and commitment. Throughout his service, Zion went on multiple deployments, often spending long months away from his family. Despite the hardships of being separated from his loved ones, he remained steadfast in his duty and focused on his mission.

Throughout his military service, he never gave up on his dream of playing football and spoke of it often. The very day he was released, he joined his family in Alabama, where all their plans and preparations could finally be pursued. He trained hard and did everything he could to one day walk onto the Alabama football team. He enjoyed feeling great and being in the best shape of his life when his health took a turn for the worse.

Over the course of eight months and many ER visits, Zion broke his tibial plateau, was bedridden, had surgery, blacked out several times, suffered two heart attacks, was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, and soon after, with leukemia. His last battle was from cardiac arrest, requiring life support, and doctors discovered irreversible damage to several vital organs.

In the last few months of his life, he experienced beautiful, vivid dreams of being called home. He often felt the comfort of ancestors on the other side of the veil and God reassuring him of his early departure from this life. Zion spent every day that he had enough energy as if it were his last. He filled his days with playing with his kids, going to the splash pad, pool, parks, gym, playing games, and visiting family. He genuinely enjoyed being alive.

His time on Earth was short, but he made a huge impact on everyone around him. He had an undeniable love for Jesus Christ. He loved people and lit up the room with his smile and laughter. Every friend or cousin he considered his brother or sister. God prepared him and his wife for this journey, and though the process was heartbreaking, they are at peace knowing he accepted God’s call to serve on the other side.

Zion joins his brother, Zack Te’i; his grandmother, Fugalei Te’i; his uncle, Larry Te’i; his uncle, Hopie Te’i; and his auntie, Lefu Tamalea'a.

Zion is survived by his loving wife, Shandi; their children, Zion Solace, Serenity Lei, and Sonny Daran; his father, Larry Liuone Alcarion; his mother, Dora Tumusa Te’i; his sister, Zahnity Sei'a Te’i; and his brother, Zeth Liuone Alcarion.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at the Centerville 6th Ward, 900 South 400 East, in Centerville, Utah. An evening viewing will take place from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main Street, Bountiful, Utah. A morning viewing will be held from 9:30-10:30 a.m. on Wednesday at the church prior to services.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary Facebook page and on this obituary page. The live stream will begin 10-15 minutes prior to services and will be posted below.

Donations to the family can be made at: https://venmo.com/u/Shandi-Alcarion