By GWEN MURANAKA
RAFU SENIOR EDITOR
Judge Raymond Sonji Uno, a transformational civil rights leader and Utah’s first minority judge, passed away in his sleep at Veteran’s Hospital in Salt Lake City on March 8. He was 93.
Uno was born in Ogden, Utah in Dec. 4, 1930 to Clarence and Osako Uno. The family moved to El Monte, Calif. in 1938. During World War II, his family was incarcerated first in Pomona Valley Assembly Center before being sent to Heart Mountain.
In a 2013 interview with Wyoming Public Media, Uno recalled the death of his father, who passed away suddenly at the age of 48 during their first year at Heart Mountain.
“My father passed away the first year we were in the camp. He was not sick. In fact, he was at a USO meeting. and my father was a military veteran and he came home and went to sleep and never woke up. I think he had what they call coronary thrombosis,” Uno said.
“My father was an American citizen, he was a veteran of World War I, active in the American Legion — to me, a very loyal American. That was something I really didn’t understand until I went to college and started taking classes in constitutional law. and going through law school and going through all the different kind of cases that something like this could happen in America to Americans and that is something I have been working on so it wouldn’t happen to anybody else.”
After World War II, Uno volunteered to serve in the military and was an interpreter with the Army’s 319th Military Intelligence Service. He was a special agent in the 441st Counterintelligence Corps in Tokyo and was honorably discharged as a Korean War veteran.
Uno received his bachelor’s degree and juris doctor from the University of Utah.
He was appointed to the Salt Lake Court bench in 1976 and served as State Circuit Court Judge, and later as the Third District Court Judge.
Utah Attorney General Sean D. Reyes issued a statement honoring Uno, calling him a “beloved member of our Utah AG family.”
“Judge Uno was a scholar and soldier, an athlete and activist, a gentleman and jurist, and a champion of civil rights and civility. He was a pioneer who opened doors for so many of us. He was our hero,” Reyes said.
“From starting the Utah Minority Bar Association to his work with JACL, he mentored and supported countless local lawyers and leaders. I was a beneficiary my entire career of his kindness and steadiness. While his influence was felt most locally, it carried across America and beyond.”
Uno served as JACL National President in the 1970s and was key in initiating the movement to seek redress for the treatment of Japanese Americans during World War II.
Floyd Mori, longtime JACLer and former national executive director, said that Uno was “the ultimate mentor and trailblazer in developing the Asian American community in Utah.”
“While he developed a national stature by being the National President of the JACL in the 1970’s, He helped to create many of today’s existing institutions in Utah. He had a role in the creation and development of the Asian American Association, the Minority Bar of Utah, the Asian American Chamber of Commerce, and became the first minority Judge for the State of Utah. He mentored many current leaders including former State Sen. Jani Iwamoto and current Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes,” Mori said in a statement.
He was an inspiration to me as I saw him support so many community activities and nurturing relationships in politics, community business leaders, and remaining active in sports. He was a devoted husband and father. He supported his sons in their activities and their businesses.”
In December 2014, Uno was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette by the consul general of Japan in Denver for his contributions to the promotion of Japan-U.S. relations. The Japanese consulate praised Uno, saying that he played an instrumental role in protecting Japantown in Salt Lake City and has long been involved in spreading Japanese culture in Utah, among other things as an instructor of judo and through maintenance of the Japanese garden in Salt Lake City.
Ann Burroughs, JANM president and CEO, mourned Uno, noting that the Uno family held their reunion at JANM and they stamped the Ireichō, which contains the names of over 125,000 persons of Japanese ancestry who were incarcerated during World War II.
“We have lost a truly great man. His lifelong dedication to equality, justice, and to ensuring that the lessons of wartime incarceration were not forgotten was evident in his service to his country, his compassion in the courtroom, and his participation in camp pilgrimages including Heart Mountain and Crystal City. He also played a pivotal role in building the Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation’s Interpretive Center and was a dedicated member of the foundation’s advisory council. His legacy and devotion to the Japanese American community, social justice, and civil rights will long be remembered. It was our privilege to host the Uno family reunion at JANM last year when they gathered to stamp the Ireichō. Our deepest condolences go to his family during this time of great sadness,” said Burroughs.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the University of Utah Alumni Center at 9:30 a.m. on April 20. He is survived by his wife Yoshiko; five sons, Tab (Bobby), Kai (Sheri), Mark (Kris), Sean, and Lance; and grandchildren, Drue, Taylor, Summer, Sam, KT, and Jax. The family has requested privacy at this time.