Obituary: Lance C. Sunderland

Lance C. Sunderland, 65, went to be with our Lord on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010, after a courageous battle with melanoma cancer.

He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Fielden (Skip) and Ruth Sunderland; and brother, John Sunderland.

Lance is survived by his wife of 40 years, Kathleen (Candi) Sunderland; sister Kathleen Thorne; stepson Vinnie Bernard; sister-in-law Olga Sunderland; and brothers-in-law Chris Thorne and Ed Miller. He is also survived by nieces and nephews, Alicia Thorne, Turner Thorne, Jason Sunderland, Eric Sunderland and Paul Murray; a great-niece, Kristin Sunderland; adopted grandson, Jacob Batchler; best friends, Les Green and Gene Tausch and many, many other wonderful friends and neighbors.

He was born in Spearfish, S.D., on Jan. 5, 1945, and moved to Lake Tahoe with his family at the age of 15. After graduating from South Tahoe High School in 1964, Lance served two years defending his country in the U.S. Army. He is a veteran of the Vietnam War where he earned two Purple Hearts for courage. Lance was a "father" figure to many and a loving friend to everyone who knew him. After 43 years working as a table games dealer at Harvey's Resort Hotel, he retired honorably, having never missed a day of work. He never passed up an opportunity to make someone smile and embraced every day with a passion for life. He loved people, his dogs, holidays, road trips and was an avid sports fanatic (Dodgers, Rams, Lakers and the UNR Wolfpack). He was always happy and ready to help in any situation. He loved to walk, golf, fish, dance, bowl, and had a passion for photography, animals, and computers.

Lance was an active member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 388 and St. Peter's Episcopal Church. Father Jeff Paul became the wind beneath his wings as he gave to children in need, shoveled the church sidewalks, and volunteered at Food-For-Thought. Lance never stopped giving and we will never stop remembering his love, kindness and happy spirit.

A memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 26, at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Carson City. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Peter's Episcopal Church, St. Mary's Hospice, or the Nevada Humane Society.