By Rikki King Herald Writer
LAKE STEVENS — A fundraiser is planned today for a Lake Stevens football coach who remains hospitalized after being hit by a car earlier this month.
Larry Jones, 56, was critically injured. A man was arrested on suspicion of intentionally driving into Jones on Jan. 6. The man is an ex-boyfriend of Jones’ girlfriend.
Jones has volunteered as a coach with local nonprofit football leagues for more than a decade, said Jessica Kim, treasurer for Lake Stevens Youth Football.
Jones, a father of five, stayed on with the program even as his children graduated out, she said.
Jones is known as a selfless volunteer who mentors not only the players, but other coaches, Kim said.
“He never gave up on any kid,” she said. “He was always there. He was always pushing you, helping to keep you motivated and making sure you enjoyed what you were doing.”
Jones also volunteers with the Arena Youth Football League, said Sas Baermann, a family friend and league volunteer.
“You just get to know people, and you get to know their character,” he said. “Everybody was just horrified, taken aback that this had happened to someone we know so well, and such a good person.”
The spaghetti dinner fundraiser is planned for 5:30 p.m. Friday at Cavelero Mid High School. Organizers are asking attendees for a $10 donation. A raffle and auction are planned for 7 p.m.
People also can donate to “The Larry L. Jones Donation Fund” at any Wells Fargo bank.
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.
