Sumio Kubo

Sumio was born on March 23, 1924 in Fresno, the only child of Seiichi and Tomiko Kubo. He passed away peacefully at home on March 1, 2016. He attended schools in Kerman, graduating in 1941. In his youth, Sumio was a gifted athlete, competing in kendo, baseball and basketball. Though he began his college education at the University of California, Berkeley, he returned to Fresno State at the onset of World War II. Due to the Executive Order 9066 which resulted in his parents internment in Arkansas, he transferred to Washington University, St. Louis to pursue his undergraduate and dental education. Thanks to the kindness of neighbors who tended the family farm during internment, Sumio and his parents gratefully retained their property in Kerman. He completed the orthodontic program at the University of California in San Francisco.

Dr. Kubo began his professional practice in downtown Fresno’s Mason Building in 1949. He married Sayo Hosaka in November 1952 and was called to military service in February 1953 at Fort Sam Houston. Sumio was assigned to practice orthodontics for officers and their family members in Orleans, France, where daughter Kathleen was born. The couple returned to Kerman in 1955 and their family grew over the next 5 years with the addition of sons, Robert, Howard and James. Sumio deeply valued the rural lifestyle in which he was raised. He built homes for his parents and young family on the farm though this required a long daily commute. He was a devoted family man who also served his community by participating in numerous organizations. Sumio was a member and president of the Optimist Club of Fresno, an active member of the Biola Japanese Community Organization, founding board member of Regency Bank, member and president of the Fresno-Madera Dental Society, member and president of the Fresno Betsuin and served in a leadership role for the Buddhist Churches of America.

He continued his orthodontic practice for 45 years, proudly welcoming sons Robert and James to form Kubo Orthodontic Group. Upon retirement, Sumio returned to his roots in managing the family farm. Sayo and Sumio enjoyed traveling with longtime friends, Mits and Sachi Mizutani as well as numerous trips with their children and grandchildren. Though quiet by nature, Sumio was an avid and vocal fan who relished recent championship seasons of the San Francisco Giants and Golden State Warriors.

Sumio was passionately committed to the goal of building the Family Dharma Center and Hondo for the Fresno Buddhist Church, chairing the Future of Buddhism Committee for many years.

After sharing 62 years of marriage, he lost his beloved wife, Sayo, on March 10, 2015.

He is survived by daughter, Kathleen, sons Robert and wife Stephanie, and James and wife Jenny; grandchildren Alyson Kennon, Cole, Jacqueline, Makayla and Kylene Kubo; sister-in-law Aya Yamakoshi; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and son, Dr. Howard Kubo.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Fresno Buddhist Family Dharma Center at 2690 E. Alluvial on Friday, March 11, 2016 at 1:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Fresno Buddhist Temple Building Fund, 1340 Kern Street, Fresno 93706 or a charity of your choice.