By Nathan Isaacs
Tri-City Herald
Copyright 2007 Tri-City Herald
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News
KENNEWICK, Wash. — Kennewick firefighter Eric Lyons will be remembered Thursday during a memorial service at the Three Rivers Convention Center.
Lyons, 38, died unexpectedly last week while relaxing between fire and other emergency calls at a downtown fire station.
The cause of his death is being investigated. An au-topsy performed Saturday showed no signs of stroke or other apparent cause of death. Investigators will wait for the return of toxicology and other test results from the state lab.
The memorial is at 1 p.m. Fire departments from throughout the state are expected to send firefighters and fire engines to the service. Those attending the event are asked to arrive by 12:30 p.m. as doors will be closed at 1 p.m.
A fire engine processional will travel past each of Kennewick’s fire stations before arriving at the convention center.
Lyons had been a member of the department’s C shift his entire 13 years with the department. Before coming to Kennewick, he was a volunteer firefighter for Spokane Fire District 8 and Douglas Fire District 2 in East Wenatchee.
“He had a very generous heart and was very giving,” said Becky McNamara of Richland, his ex-wife, who was married to Lyons for 12 years. “He had a great sense of humor and enjoyed entertaining people.”
Kennewick fire Capt. Matt Worman was a longtime friend of Lyons and his roommate the past few months. He said Lyons was an avid golfer, Los Angeles Angels fan, movie aficionado and natural comedian. “He was always the life of the party,” he said.
Co-workers found Lyons in the station’s bunkroom area about midnight Thursday and immediately began helping him. He was taken to Kennewick General Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:12 a.m.
A memorial fund has been established and donations can be made at any HAPO Community Credit Union bank branch to the Eric Lyons account. Donations also can be mailed to the Kennewick firefighters labor union, Kennewick Firefighters Local 1296/Eric Lyons at P.O. Box 6764, Kennewick, WA 99336.
Memorial planners also are accepting donations for Thursday’s reception following the service. An estimated 1,500 people are expected to attend. Among the items requested are cookies, bottled water, juice and punch, cups and napkins. Donations can be made at Kennewick Fire Station 61, 600 South Auburn St., Kennewick.