Judge Donald H. Thompson

Obituary The Honorable Donald H. Thompson Passed away July 15, 2011 at home in the care of his loving wife, Joan. He was born May 24, 1931 in Port Orchard, WA. Excerpt from "What I Believe" By Donald H. Thompson March 2, 2005 I believe: ? In the Risen Christ. ? In "The Golden Rule." ? In preserving the earth and our natural resources for future generations. ? In the sanctity of human life. ? In doing an honest day's work. ? In sharing with the less fortunate. ? Happiness is best found within the family. ? That we should "walk softly and carry a big stick." ? That we are better off not to have firearms in our homes. ? That I should be a good listener and keep an open mind. Times and circumstances change the ways I should view things. ? That we should clean up after ourselves. Don was born in Bremerton to Clara and Rex Thompson with his identical twin brother Ron. They grew up in Port Orchard and graduated from South Kitsap High School, where both were active in big band and sports. When not raising chickens, getting lost on top of an Olympic Range mountain top, exchanging dates on the sly or beating up opposing football players, both brothers actively participated in big band and school work. A true member of ‘the greatest generation,' Donald left Port Orchard with his brother to attend University of Washington to study Business Administration. While studying at U of W, Don joined the Naval Reserve as a Seaman Recruit and Ron stayed active in the ROTC. In their fourth year of studies, Don and Ron both entered law school at the U of W before receiving their degrees in Business Administration. Don went on to serve two years of active duty with the Navy while Ron served two years with the Army. Don ultimately returned to the University of Washington Law School after active duty to earn his Jurist Doctorate degree. He decided to return home to Port Orchard to practice law for the next five years. In addition to his law practice in Port Orchard, he joined Kiwanis Club where he served as Secretary and Treasurer. He ran for State Senate - Kitsap County in 1960, losing a close race and served as Port Orchard's City Attorney for 10 years. While in Port Orchard, Don married Joan, the love of his life. They started their lives together in Manchester, WA where they welcomed their first son Steve and second son Rex to the world. Later, they moved to University Place where their third son, Brad, was born. After five years in Port Orchard, Don chose to join his brother Ron in law practice in Tacoma in the firm Lee, Krilich, Lowry and Thompson. In 1974, he was appointed to Pierce County Superior Court. He remained on the Pierce County Bench until his retirement in 1996. While on the bench, he served terms as Juvenile Court Judge and as Presiding Judge. Don remained active in the Naval Reserve for 27 years, where he ultimately commanded destroyers and served as Commanding Officer of the Reserve Crew on the USS Brinkley Bass, a WWII Destroyer. He also served as Commodore of a division of minesweepers on Puget Sound. Some of his great adventures in the Navy included sailing the Destroyer Brinkley Bass to Hawaii and commanding a fleet of minesweepers through the Canadian Inner Passage to Alaska. He retired from the Naval Reserve in 1977 at the rank of Captain. Don was active in the community where his contributions include: President of the March of Dimes, President and longtime member of the Kiwanis Club of Tacoma, the Navy League, L'Arche Tahoma Hope Community, Family Counseling, Boy Scouts and the Good Will. Honors and awards of note awarded to Judge Thompson include: • Liberty Bell award from the Tacoma-Pierce Bar Association, 1996 • William O Douglas award from the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association, 1995 • Silver Beaver award from the Mt. Rainier Council Boy Scouts of America, 1981 • Young Man of the Year award from the Bremerton Junior Chamber of Commerce, 1962 • Ivor Lusty award for draftsmanship in course on Securities Transactions, University of Washington Law School, 1957 Interesting things Don has done in his own words: • Worked for Dad (his father) in a Port Orchard movie theater as an usher, popcorn boy and doorman. • Played sax in his dance band in high school. • Loved to play his alto, baritone and soprano sax for his grandchildren at Seabeck Family Camp. • Ran three marathons in the 1990s and even won a 5K in his age group in Hawaii. • While in college; waterskied on a single ski around Mercer Island just because he could. • Snow skied every season at White Pass, WA since 1967. Devoted to his family; Don's interests included reading history, music (Alto and Baritone sax) and skiing. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Joan; sons Steve (Wife: Gwen, Children: Derek, Dane, Anneka), Rex (Wife: Tami, Children: Andrew, Evan, Miranda) and Brad (Wife: Angie, Children: Connor, Casey, Colin); his identical twin Ron (Marilyn) and extended family. Memorial Service will be held at St. Nicholas Church on Saturday July 23, 2011 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to Bellarmine Preparatory School - Don and Joan Family Foundation, or to L'Arche Tahoma Hope Community.