Jun Kurumada

12/13/1913 ~ 7/24/2013
As he was known to his friends, some living, many gone,"Doc" passed away peacefully at his home early on the morning of July 24th 2013 after a long courageous battle with failing health following surgery. His remarkable life began in Richfield, Utah nearly a century ago. The son of Japanese immigrants, he grew up working family farms in Benjamin, Ogden, Heber and finally in the Salt Lake valley. He graduated from Granite High. He and his brothers Joe and Tom, who preceded him in death, excelled in academics and sports. He went on to earn a doctorate in Dentistry at the University of California San Francisco. He married his sweetheart, Helen, his bride of 64 years in May of 1941. He served in the U.S. Army First Cavalry Dental Corps, attaining the rank of Lt. Colonel. During and following World War II Jun was a fierce advocate for many Japanese American families assisting them in avoiding internment and helping them re-claim lost property and dignity while attesting their loyalty to America. He returned to Salt Lake City and opened a new office downtown which he later moved to his 55 year practice on 500 South. His patients travelled from far away, in state and out, to benefit from his delicate and gentle dental work. His eyes remained sharp and his hands steady until he finally retired at the age of 92. An avid bowler and golfer, Jun received numerous awards in each but was especially proud of his induction into the Utah Bowling Hall of Fame.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Helen, daughter Leslie, Son Kim and grandaughter Kelsey.
He is survived by his sons Kevin (Jean), Dennis (Becky) and Craig (Linnea).
Memorial Services will be held at the First Unitarian Church at 590 S. 1300 East on August 24th at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the JACL, the Japanese Christian Church and the Buddhist Temple in downtown Salt Lake City.