His funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 7, at 10:30am, at Holy Apostles Episcopal Church in Mitchell, Nebraska with Reverend Ed Hunzeker and Reverend Angela Jones officiating. Inurnment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park in Scottsbluff with military honors. In lieu of any flowers, memorials in Leonard’s honor may be made in care of his family, to be designated at a later date. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.dugankramer.com for the Sakurada family. Dugan Kramer Funeral Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.
Leonard was born October 30, 1934 in Scottsbluff, Nebraska to Tokuzo and Sato (Endo) Sakurada. He graduated from Lyman High School in 1953.Following High School, he joined the Army in 1954, completing basic training at Fort Ord, California.
He was stationed in Korea as a wheel vehicle mechanic and later in Japan, working on a hydroponic farm. For most of his life he farmed with his brothers near Lyman, NE, and was honored many times as a high ten beet producer by the Great Western Sugar Company. He was a lifelong member of the Holy Apostles Episcopal Church. He was a beloved uncle to his numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
Survivors include his brothers, Neil (Catherine) Sakurada of Scottsbluff, Nebraska, Fred (Nancy) Sakurada of Morrill, Nebraska; Sister Hisaye “Pete” Okamoto of Scottsbluff, Nebraska; and sisters-in-law, Dorothy, Mae, and Alice Sakurada.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers; Masami, Shogi, Shizuo, Yukio, and Kenneth Sakurada; Sisters Kazuye Sakurai and Miyeko Tateyama; and infant brother, Kin Sakurada; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
