Steve Souder's Father Passes
Fairfax County, VA.

Hello Friends,

Steve Souder is "famous" within the 9-1-1 Industry, I hope you have had the honor to speak with him or listen to him teach. The pride for his dispatchers and love for the profession is never-ending. Steve was the director of Arlington County on September 11th, his agency was the primary communications center that handled the Pentagon attacks. He has been the director at Montgomery County , MD and is now the Director at Fairfax County , VA. He is a tireless supporter of APCO and NENA and is both a good friend to me and an amazing supporter of 911 CARES. Last evening I was honored to speak at an awards function he sponsored for his staff. This morning he shared some sad news with me. I ask that you spend a moment to get a condolence card and sign it. Make sure you include your agency and state. I would love to have a letter or card from eve! ry state arrive on his desk next week! See below for a snipet from an e-mail he sent me and address information for Steve.

Good morning:

As many of you know my dad has been in a nursing home in Rockville since January of 2006. For a person 97 years old he was doing pretty well. Then in October he fell and broke his hip.  He bounced back well but about a month ago I saw his overall health begin to slip. On Easter Sunday I had lunch with him and planned to go back about 5:30 and have Easter dinner with him. Just as I was leaving the house the nursing home called to let me know he had passed away.  There will be a service and burial this Monday in New Jersey .  I have pasted his obituary below as it appears in today's edition of the Atlantic City Press newspaper. 

SOUDER, KENNETH A., 97 - of Margate. Ken was born on December 22, 1910 and departed for a heavenly reunion on Easter Sunday, April 8, 2007. A good, kind and caring man, Ken was born in Atlantic City and was a lifelong resident of Absecon Island. He was a Captain and 36 year veteran of the Atlantic City Fire Department. During his long career, he served in every fire station in the city, fought some of the largest fires in the city's history and was the recipient of numerous recognitions for valor, heroism and meritorious service. At the time of his passing, he was the oldest retired fire fighter in New Jersey. He was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Atlantic City where he held many positions. His best friend and loving wife of 62 years Marion, predeceased him in 1998. Surviving are his son: Steve of Montgomery Village, MD, daughter-in- law: Susan, grand-children: Salem of Crestwood, NY, Jennifer of Alexandria, VA and Ely-Cambridgeshire, UK and Debra of Gaithersburg, MD and six great-grandchildren: Hannah, William, Riley, Kell, Graydon & Aren. A viewing and service will be at the Adams-Perfect Funeral Home 1650 New Road (Route 9) in Northfield on Monday, April 16, 2007 between 1:00 and 3:00 pm, followed by burial at the Absecon Methodist Church Cemetery, New Jersey Avenue and Shore Road (Route 9) in Absecon. Family, friends & acquaintances are invited to attend, meet Ken's family, reminisce and celebrate Ken's life and legacy. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the Souder family at 19133 Roman Way, Montgomery Village, MD 20886.

There is also a guest book.

Condolence Cards can be sent to:

Stephen Souder
Fairfax County 9-1-1
3911 Woodburn Road
Annandale , VA 22003

Thanks everyone!
Kevin and the team at 911 CARES
www.911cares. com