Steven Klein Sunderland

Steve was born May 19th, 1953 to Harold and Isabel Sunderland. Growing up, Steve lived in Avenal, CA, before his family settled in Porterville. As a child, Steve delighted in summer trips to Freeburg, IL, his mother’s hometown. He loved playing with his cousins and trailing after grandpa Klein. Steve graduated from Porterville High School in 1971 and later earned a Fire Science degree at Fresno City College.

At the tender age of 17, he started a career in the fire service. He began as a seasonal firefighter in 1970, working 35 years with the California Department of Forestry (Cal Fire), before retiring as a Unit Chief in 2006. Shortly after his first retirement, Steve took up one last post as the Tulare County Fire Chief, which he held until 2011. Steve completed coursework and later enjoyed working as an instructor at the National Fire Academy in Fredricksburg, MD.

Steve married Janet Marie Rasmussen on January 10th, 1976. Steve and Janet enjoyed 40 years of loving marriage, celebrating with a cruise earlier this year. Steve and Janet welcomed two children into their family, Eric and Ashlee. Steve was a devoted dad and loved his children deeply. Family trips to Yellowstone National Park were a treasured memory. However, in his last years, Steve embraced his favorite name Yampa (Grandpa). He loved his four little buddies more than life. Grandpa’s cookie tin was ever full and ready to share. He was ever willing to take to the shop and build a bookcase or dress-up clothes bin for his little people.

Steve was active in the community. He was a member of the local Rotary Club for many years, even serving as charter president for Dinuba’s Sunrise Rotary Club. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Dinuba, where he served as a Trustee and an Elder. For several years, Steve combined two of his passions by organizing a golf tournament to benefit the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Steve loved to grab breakfast with a few friends. He enjoyed days on the golf course, even if the ball didn’t always do what he wanted it to do. He loved to be up in the mountains and took trips to the Arches National Park and the Grand Canyon.

Steve is survived by his wife of 40 years, Janet, his children, Eric Sunderland (Jessica) and Ashlee Turner (Jared), and, the joy of his heart, his four grandchildren: Kendall, Evan, Lia, and Jack.

A memorial service for Steve will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Dinuba at 10:30 am on Friday, December 30th. A lunch reception will follow the service at Ridge Creek Golf Club in Dinuba. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation in honor of Steve. Donations can be made online at firehero.org/donate/ or by mail: National Fallen Firefighters Foundation P.O. Drawer 498, Emmitsburg, MD 21727.