Bonners Fire chief Owsley passes

Services held at fire hall

The flag in Bonners Ferry is being flown at half staff this week after the death of the Bonners Ferry Fire Chief Larry Glenn Owsley. He passed away from cancer on Friday, June 20.

“It (lowering the flag) is out of respect for Larry,” said city administrator Stephen Boorman.

“He is the first fire chief that has ever passed away while in office.”

Owsley joined the Bonners Ferry Fire Department in the late 1970s and became fire chief five years ago.

“Larry has dedicated 30 years of his life volunteering to the city fire department,” said fellow fire fighter and good friend Mick Mellett. “For many years he has also been on the region 1 hazmat team.”

“Larry had some rough edges but he had a huge heart for this community and for being fireman,” said Boorman.

Owsley was diagnosed with terminal lymphoma brain cancer in early February. He had surgery to remove as much of the tumor as possible. Chemotherapy and other treatment were done at a cancer center in Coeur d’Alene.

“He will be greatly missed by the firemen and the community,” said Mellett.

Owsley is survived by two children, Glenn Owsley and Rachel Figgins of Bonners Ferry.