The body of a Sparks man killed in last week's Colorado theater shooting returned home Friday night.
A plane carrying 26-year-old Jonathan Blunk arrived at Reno-Tahoe International Airport just after 7 o'clock.
Blunk's family and friends first paid their final respects in Colorado. His body was carried to a hearse by a Navy Honor Guard and taken to the airport by a Patriot Guard.
From there is body was flown to Reno. Just like in Colorado, a Patriot Guard was on-hand.
"We want to do what we can do to make this as comfortable as we can for the family," says Kim Young, spokesman for the Blunk family.
The Patriot Guard was close behind as the hearse pulled out of the airport. Family, friends and police officers followed them to Mountain View Mortuary.
Blunk graduated from Hug High school in 2004, then served three tours of duty in the Persian Gulf and the North Arabian Sea.
He had plans to re-enlist to become a Navy Seal. Blunk was also a father of two young children under the age of five.
"Everybody is really focused on the mom and the two kids," says Young. "They want to make sure that the kids are taken care of. And that's one of the things I've seen is the outpouring from the community which is just huge."
Minutes after leaving the airport, the hearse and patriot guard arrived at Mountain View Mortuary. Family and friends hugged and fought back tears as Blunk's casket was taken inside.
Blue Star Mothers of America were there too, saying it was their patriotic duty.
"We need to be out here to show our support for this young man, this tragic incident," says Paula Fleming. "Support for his family."
Young says Blunk's wife is taking the loss hard. But he says there are a lot folks here to help her through it.
"She has the community, she has her family, she has her friends and everybody else there for her," he says.
Next week there are public services to honor Blunk. Public viewing is set for next Thursday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Mountain View Mortuary.
Then the service, which is also open to the public, is next Friday at 9 a.m.
There's also been an account set up to help the Blunk family through this difficult time. To donate, just head to any Wells Fargo Bank branch.
Written by Adam Rasmussen
