Memorial for former Lakewood police chief set for Friday
A memorial ceremony for beloved former Lakewood Police Chief Larry Saunders will be Friday at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
The retired Army colonel and passionate supporter of veterans in Pierce County died suddenly last week while on a run in Fort Steilacoom Park.
The ceremony, scheduled for 11 a.m. at Lewis North Chapel, will feature traditional military and police honors, according to a news release Tuesday. Speakers will include members of Saunders’ family, colleagues and friends.
A viewing is scheduled from 10 a.m.-noon Thursday at Mountain View Funeral Home & Crematory, 4100 Steilacoom Blvd. SW, Lakewood.
Those who want to attend the memorial who do not have military or Department of Defense identification, or who are not affiliated with JBLM, should enter the base at the Lewis North 41st Division Drive Gate at Interstate 5 exit 120.
A fund has been established in memory of Saunders at Heritage Bank. Those who wish to make donations can visit any Heritage Bank branch and mention the “Larry Saunders Memorial Fund.” People may also mail a donation to Heritage Bank, Larry Saunders Memorial Fund, 10318 Gravelly Lake Dr. S.W., Lakewood, WA 98499.
Donations will be used for memorial expenses with any residual funds going to the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound, for which Saunders was the vice chairman of the board. Alternate donations may be made by contacting Jillian Klingenberg at Heritage Bank, 253-671-0840.
Kari Plog: 253-597-8682, @KariPlog
This story was originally published January 12, 2016 at 9:47 AM with the headline "Memorial for former Lakewood police chief set for Friday."