Bennie Lewis Fuller. Born 1/27/1937 in Resaca, GA and passed away 12/5/2009 in Lakewood, WA surrounded by his loving family. Bennie is survived by his devoted wife of 48 years, Cecilia; 2 sons, Wesley, Alex (Sue); 2 daughters, Debra Sneed, Deanna Fuller; 5 grandchildren; 3 sisters, Edith Acosta, Pat Stacey, Edna Hildabrandt. Rite of committal with commendation 3PM Friday, 12/11/2009 at Calvary Cemetery, 5212 70th St. W, Tacoma, WA. Arrangements by Edwards Memorial Center 253-566-1008.
M/Sgt. (Retired) William Jones July 15, 1918 – December 3, 2009 William Jones passed away on December 3, 2009 at the age of 91. Mr. Jones was born in Grady, Arkansas in 1918. He was the youngest of eight children born to Joseph and Elizabeth Jones. He had a distinguished army career starting in the 10th Cavalry Regiment (Horse) – Buffalo Soldiers. Subsequently, he was a POW in Korea (1950-1953) and returned to Tacoma as a hero. After retiring from the military, he established Jones Glass and Recyclables . He leaves to cherish his memory four children, Willie Lee Jones, Jacqueline Jones Hook, Marilee Jones Scarbrough (Robert), and Gwendolyn Jones, his five grandchildren, William Anthony Watkins (Sylvia), Vivian Jones Hood (Thomas), Jawann Jones (Erin), Constance Tucker (Maurice), and Byron Scarbrough, and seven great-grandchildren, Samone Watkins, Nathan Watkins, Philip Hood, Tommy Hood, Ashlee Jones, Alexus Jones, and Micah William Tucker. Extended family includes Katrenia Parker (Shawn), Monique Hook, Anita Wambaugh (John), and Shelley Wyke. Viewing will be held on Friday, December 11, 2009 from 1:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at Mountain View Funeral Home. The celebration of life services will be held on Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 11:00 am at Bethlehem Baptist Church, located at 4818 E Portland Avenue, Tacoma, Washington 98404. Burial will take place at Mountain View Memorial Park immediately following the service. Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home. 253-584-0252. Please sign online guestbook at www.mountainviewtacoma.com.
Tina Gail Griswold, of Lacey, Washington, passed away on Sunday, November 29, 2009. Tina was born in Port Angeles, Washington, on January 28, 1969, to Stan and Geneva DeLong. She started her Law Enforcement career as a dispatcher with the Shelton Police Department and was hired as a Police Officer with them. She also worked with the Lacey Police Department and finally for the Lakewood Police Department since 2004. She loved her family and her job. Tina is survived by her husband, Paul, her daughter Nicole and her son Marcus; her brother Tom, sisters Tammy, Teresa and Tiffany. The memorial services will be held at 1:00 pm, December 8, 2009, at the Tacoma Dome.
Ronald W. Owens “A Fallen Hero” 12/2/1971 to 11/29/2009 Ronnie was born in Tacoma, WA and lived his entire life in the Parkland area. He was very proud and honored to serve and protect this community. Ronnie was first and foremost a loving and devoted father and son. He was a very loyal friend to many. He was always smiling and willing to lend a hand to anyone in need. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle, playing sports, and watching NASCAR. Ronnie always wanted to be a police officer “just like his dad” he would say. He started his career with the Washington State Patrol in 1997, graduating from the WSP academy’s 83 basic training class. He worked with the Washington State Patrol until 2004, when he then began working for the Lakewood Police Department. During his 12-year career, Ronnie was awarded several police commendations recognizing his work ethic, determination, and dependability. The deaths of Ronnie and his partners were senseless and tragic, leaving so many families, friends and fellow Officers in shock and disbelief. We love him, miss him, and will never forget him. He was preceded in death by his father Ronald W. Owens. He is survived by his daughter Madison, mother Ramona, sisters Shannon and Ronda, many nieces and nephews who were so special to him, and several aunts, uncles and cousins. Ronnie will be laid to rest on Wednesday December 9th, 2009 in a private ceremony. Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home, 253-584-0252 www.mountainviewtacoma.com .
Sgt. Mark Renninger, 39, a devoted husband and father and distinguished police officer, was taken from this earth far too early on Nov. 29, 2009. He leaves behind his wife, Kim, daughters Letra and Allison, and son Nicholas. Born Aug. 13, 1970 in Bethlehem, PA, Mark was the second of five siblings. He was an active member of the Bethlehem Boys Club as a youth and participated in football and baseball. At Liberty High School, Mark was a star athlete, a standout for the Hurricanes football team as a strong safety, helping lead them to two conference titles. But he was equally dedicated to his school work, even going beyond the basic requirements to help others. While taking a sociology class in high school, Mark led classmates into a project producing a documentary to help young people better understand what it’s like to be elderly. With his classmates, Mark visited senior citizens living in Bethlehem several times a month. “A lot of kids are cocky to older people,” Mark was quoted telling The Morning Call of Allentown in 1989. “After sitting and talking to them, you change your way of thinking. Even if this changes three peoples’ minds, it’s worth it. I spent more time on this than anything. All my study halls are dedicated to this class.” Despite having the opportunity of playing football in college, Mark bypassed his love of the gridiron to begin serving others in 1989. Mark enlisted in the U.S. Army and did his basic training at Fort Dix in New Jersey. Shortly after, he went to airborne training at Fort Benning, GA, and was accepted to the prestigious Army Rangers program and was part of the 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Benning. At Fort Benning he was honored as Soldier of the Quarter and a jump master. Four years later, he arrived in Washington State when he was transferred to Fort Lewis and was assigned to the 2nd Ranger Battalion. Mark was honorably discharged from the Army in 1996 and would later jokingly tell his family that all the camping he did as a Ranger gave him no interest in ever going camping again. It seemed only natural that Mark would go from serving the country in the military to serving the public. He joined the Tukwila Police Department in 1996 and quickly became a leader in the patrol unit. While in Tukwila, Mark was active with the Community Oriented Policing Unit and the Pro-Act Team, and was president of the Tukwila Police Guild. In 2004, Mark moved on to the Lakewood Police Department. Mark worked as a patrol officer and later served in the Neighborhood Patrol Officer Unit before being promoted to Patrol Sergeant in 2008. He was on the path toward becoming a lieutenant with Lakewood PD. Mark’s true calling in law enforcement was when he received an assignment as a SWAT officer in 2001. His experience and expertise as a SWAT officer later led to Mark becoming a well-respected SWAT instructor both locally serving on the executive board of the Washington State Training Officers Association, and nationally with the National Training Officers Association. He brought those talents as a SWAT officer to Pierce County after he joined Lakewood Police and became a Team Leader with the multi-jurisdictional Metro SWAT Team in April 2005. As an officer, Mark was awarded the Medal of Merit, The Core Values Award, Distinguished Service Award and the Chief’s Commendation. He received the Lifesaving Award with Lakewood PD after stopping while on his way home following a shift, and ran through leaking gas to help pull a driver from a burning vehicle. In 1999 he went to Stockholm, Sweden and participated in the Police and Fire Olympics. But all of his talents for police work were secondary to his home life. He made a point to leave police work at the office and focus on his family when at home — three children and his wife. He married his wife Kim in 2003, not surprisingly while on a trip to a NASCAR race, and three years later welcomed their son Nicholas to the world. Whether it was making a point to be at the softball games of his oldest daughter Letra, the school activities of Alli, teaching young Nicholas during his first few years, or simply spending quiet time with his wife, these were Mark’s favorite moments. While not coming close to matching the love for his family, Mark’s love of football – specifically Penn State and the Philadelphia Eagles – was a runner-up. He followed Big 10 football religiously, and always was willing to argue about how the Big 10 was superior to the Pac-10. He was also like every other Philadelphia fan, always willing to write off the Eagles at the slightest step backward but remaining a devoted fan. He also made a point to see as many NASCAR races as he could. It didn’t matter if it was the Truck Series, Nationwide Series, or the Sprint Cup cars, Mark would watch them make left-turns incessantly. He even dragged his wife along to see a couple of races live. The decorations on the walls of his home office are one of three things: pictures of SWAT officers, or Penn State or NASCAR memorabilia. Along with his wife and three children, Mark is survived by his four brothers, Matthew, Marty, Michael and John, a sister, Melissa, his mother, Nancy, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. The family asks that memorial donations be made to the Lakewood Police Independent Guild. Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home, 253-584-0252. www.mountainviewtacoma.com .
Gregory James Richards was born on January 4th, 1967 in Lynwood, CA, to proud parents James and Freda Richards. His early childhood was spent in Diamond Bar, California. From the age of seven, he lived in Hacienda Heights, CA, where he became interested in music and began learning to play the drums, which was his passion throughout his life. At Glen A. Wilson High School, Greg was in the Wilson Wildcat marching band. While a senior, he performed at President Ronald Reagan’s Inaugural in Washington, D.C. Once graduating high school, he enlisted in the United States Army in October 1985. Stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington, “C” Company 2nd Battalion Infantry. While stationed there he received a Good Conduct Medal, the Humanitarian Service Award, and a Marksman’s Badge. He was Honorably discharged January 6th, 1989. During this time, Greg met his future wife, Kelly Mitchell. They married on May 22nd, 1992, and had three beautiful children, Austin, 17, Jami-Mae, 15, and Gavin, 10. Greg was employed by Simpson Timber in Tacoma, Washington prior to his decision to becoming a police officer. Once Greg graduated from the Police Academy, he chose to begin his career at the Kent Police Department. Greg then left Kent to become one of the original (founding) officers of the Lakewood P.D., where on November 29th Greg tragically lost his life protecting his fellow officers and all whom he served. A true hero in everyone’s eyes. Gregory is survived by his wife, Kelly, three children, Austin, 17, Jamie-Mae, 15, and Gavin, 10, along with his father, James M. Richards, a brother, Gary Richards, sister Gayle Goellner, sister Gabrielle Boole, his in-laws, Margaret and Larry Mitchell, Kim Thornton and Melanie Burwell, nieces and nephews EJ Goellner, Falon and Mallory Boole, Brittanie Richards, Arianna, Olivia, and Dallas Thornton, Marissa, Mitchell, and Maddie-Lynn Burwell. Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home, 253-584-0252. www.mountainviewtacoma.com .
Donald Arthur Schoneman was born in Snohomish May 22, 1930, passed away December 2, 2009. He was married to Virginia Schoneman who preceded him in death. He is survived by three children, Sandra (Paul) Martinez, Sharon Childs, husband Donnie, and Karl Schoneman, his sister Ruth Wilcher, several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and his friend and companion of 29 years, Bonnie Petrequin. He is retired from the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department after many years of service. The family request donations be made to the Tacoma Pierce County Humane Society or the Fred Oldfield Western Heritage Center. Services will be at Mountain View Memorial Park, Celebration of Life Building December 11, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home. 253-584-0252. Please sign online guestbook at www.mountainviewtacoma.com.