RICHARD A. "DICK" THOMASON

Richard Allen (Dick) Thomason, 79, long-time Anacortes resident died Tuesday, March 8, 2011, in Anacortes, WA.

He was born October 18, 1931 in Grand Junction, CO, the only child of Richard Mayon and L. Madge Smith Thomason.

After high school graduation, he served four years in the U. S. Air Force, primarily based at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska. During this time he also earned a diploma in dental laboratory technology from the State University of New York.

Following discharge, he used the GI bill to learn to fly and later became a flight instructor and then a commercial airline pilot for Capital Airlines and later Frontier Airlines flying for over 30 years, many of them as Captain in large jet aircraft out of Denver, CO and Billings, MT. He held ratings for all multi-engine and jet aircraft and was highly regarded as an excellent pilot. After retirement, he continued to own and fly aircraft and many will recall his adventurous stories of experiences in the air.

He married Annette Johnson of Provo, UT, on February 15, 1957; and they were the parents of two sons, Allen F. and Mark R. They later divorced and he subsequently married Mary Charlotte Thomason from whom he was also divorced.

His passion for flying was matched only by his passion for sailing, and he spent many wonderful years sailing his boats out of Marina del Rey, CA and Anacortes, WA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, son, Mark Richard, and a grandson David Richard.

He is survived by his son, Allen F. (Arlene) Thomason, of Highland, UT, 8 grandchildren, and 1 great-granddaughter.

At his request, there was no viewing or funeral. Following brief family services, his cremains were interred at the Grandview Cemetery in Anacortes.

Condolences may be sent to the family at AFThomason@aol.com.