Although the king was not a member of the LDS faith, he invited a delegation from the stake to have a prayer service with him. "Any denomination who comes to meet him, he invites them to say a prayer of their own religion," he said.

Pau'u recalls King Tupou IV was a large, impressive man, well over six feet tall and weighing more than 300 pounds. In fact, The Associated Press says he reached 462 pounds and shed about 154 pounds while leading his kingdom on a diet to encourage better health.

Tonga Tauteoli, former president of the Magna Utah Tongan LDS Branch, said the passing is sad. He, too, met the monarch during the king's visit to Utah.

"I think it's a big loss for everybody," Tauteoli said. "He's a very good king. He loves the people."

When the king's nephew and the nephew's wife were killed, said Sitake, a wake was held in every place where many Tongans lived. They contributed money to send back to the islands to help with the funeral. She believes a wake will be held in Utah for the king.

Crown Prince Tupouto, the late king's son, immediately ascended the throne. The new monarch, King Taufa'ahau Tupou V, will take the vows today, and his coronation will occur later, Tonga's Chief Justice Tony Ford said, according to New Zealand's National Radio.

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Contributing: Associated Press and Deborah Bulkeley

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E-mail: bau@desnews.com