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East Pierce Fire and Rescue Fire Chief Daniel B. Packer died on July 26, 2008. Arrangements under the direction of Powers Funeral Home in Puyallup, WA. The Memorial Service has been scheduled for the following:

Thursday, August 7th, 2008 : 2:00 PM.
Christian Faith Center
33645 20th Ave S - Federal Way, WA 98003

Dan was born August 12, 1958 in Havre, Montana. As an only child, he shared responsibility for the family ranch and developed an ambitious discipline that served him well throughout his life. He rode bulls, roped cattle, and was well-liked for his sense of humor. At age seventeen, he moved to the Seattle area for his senior year of high school where he met his future wife, Marylee. While they did not date at the time, they were very good friends and in those early years laid the foundation for their 28-year-long marriage.

Dan and Marylee married in 1980 and had four daughters. Dan enjoyed being a father and took parenting the girls very seriously. His daughters greatly admired and respected him. For all his gruffness he was a softhearted man who doted on his family.

Dan began working for the fire service in 1981. He served the first fourteen years of his career in Burien. In 1994, he accepted a position as Battalion Chief of Bonney Lake Fire Department and became Chief in 1995. As Chief he facilitated the creation of East Pierce Fire & Rescue – a successful merger of several smaller departments. His vision for the department and its service to the community was very large, and it showed in how he approached his work. In 2004, he assumed the presidency of the Washington State Fire Chiefs, a position he retained until July of 2008.

In 2006, Dan’s first grandchild was born. Together with Marylee, he spent a great deal of time with his grandson, often having sleepovers and recruiting his “little shadow” to help with projects – such as washing the car and mowing the lawn. His devotion to his children and grandchildren was surpassed only by his love for his wife. Dan is survived by wife, Marylee; mother Winnie; daughters, Nicole, Katrina, Rachael and Nellie, son-in-law Josh, and two young grandchildren, Wilson and Violet.

In Lieu of flowers, monetary contributions can be made at any Washington Mutual Bank under the Fire Chief Dan Packer Memorial Fund. Checks may also be mailed to: East Pierce Professional Firefighters at P.O. Box 7500, Bonney Lake, WA 98391.