Sumiye "Sumi" Nerio Onodera Leonard, born June 9, 1928 in Sante Fe Springs, CA and raised in Norwalk and Downey California and attended Norwalk Japanese School. She was interned at Santa Anita Race Track and in Rohwer, Arkansas.

Sumi passed away March 26, 2017 in Austin, TX.

Sumi graduated from California State University Long Beach, CA, and Michigan State University. She taught at Santa Ana High School, Compton Jr. College, and University of California Los Angeles.

Sumi was an avid runner and became a world class runner after meeting her coach George Mehale. Sumi competed in World Masters Athletic Championships every two years in several countries around the world. and was inducted into USA TRACK AND FIELD - MASTERS HALL OF FAME in 2006.

Sumi was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Koichi Tom Nerio, her brother Dick Nerio and first husband Ben Onodera. Sumi is survived by her husband Robert J. Leonard of Austin, TX, her daughters Chiye (Darren) Duffy from Port Orange, Florida and Ume (Stephen) Nitta of Fountain Valley, CA, step-son Daniel P. Leonard (Rayne) of Magnolia, Texas, three grandchildren Stephanie Nitta, Kent Nitta, Nathan Duffy and step granddaughter Brandye Leonard, siblings Art Nerio, Betty (Akira) Imamura, Dick Nerio's wife Margret, and other close relatives.

A celebration of Sumi's life will be held Sunday April 9, 2017 5:00 PM at Nichiren Shu Beikoku Betsuin Buddhist Temple 2801 E. 4th, Los Angeles, California 90033.