Neil W. Thomson, 86, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, died on July 16, 2009, surrounded by family. He was born in Spokane on June 2, 1923, to Ethel R. and Dr. James H. Thomson. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and attended Lewis and Clark High School.

Mr. Thomson spent two years at the University of Washington, where he was a member of the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity, member of ROTC and lettered in swimming. He also lettered in swimming and track at the United States Naval Academy, where he graduated with the class of 1947. He earned a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, Calif., where he met his wife, Joy Witwer, whom he married in Greeley, Colo., in 1953.

Mr. Thomson spent his childhood summers on Newman Lake near Spokane, where he learned to sail, which was a passion throughout his life. While at the USNA, he continued his love of sailing by qualifying to Skipper USNA yawls on the Chesapeake.

Following graduation from the Naval Academy, Mr. Thomson served on a destroyer and was assigned to the U.S. Marines, serving a year in Tsing Tao, China. He earned his Navy Pilot Wings of Gold in 1950 and served on cruises on the carriers Tarawa, Shangri La and Forestall. He flew fighter jets and the A3D. He loved flying and the challenges of day and night carrier landings.

After retiring, Mr. Thomson worked for Boeing, first in the commercial air division as an operations analyst supporting sales and later selling De Havilland Dash 7 planes in the Middle East, Africa and Norway. He later started his own manufacturers’ representative business, Thomson Sales.

At age 69, Mr. Thomson purchased an orchard near Yakima. Even in his 80s, he could be found stacking apple bins with his forklift, replacing grape posts and climbing into apple trees to prune branches. Only days before his death, he was on his ride-on lawn mower, grilling hamburgers and planning his next RV trip.

Mr. Thomson was a member of the Mercer Island Rotary and the Mercer Island Radio Operators, with his special interest being emergency preparedness. Past activities also include serving as a Cub Scout and Boy Scout leader, Toastmasters president at Point Mugu, NAS, Calif., Republican Precinct Committeeman, and deacon at the Mercer Island Presbyterian Church.

An intrepid traveler, Mr. Thomson crossed the globe with the Navy, as a salesperson for Boeing/De Havilland and later took many trips for pleasure and charity. He recently made a trip to Guatemala with Habitat for Humanity and to India through Mercer Island Rotary and the Vishal Himalaya Foundation to deliver wheelchairs. He enjoyed snow and water skiing, flying, handball, tennis, swimming, golf, camping, salmon fishing, sailing, boating, scuba diving and time with family and friends.

A patriotic man, Mr. Thomson raised a mast in his front yard and flew the stars and stripes daily. On significant occasions, flags were added to represent the branches of our military.

Mr. Thomson is survived by his wife of 55 years, Joy; sons, James Scott (Natalie) and William; daughters, Linda and Susan (Jared Miller); grandchildren, Codey, Dylan, Stow and Jocelyn; and sister, Ruth Thompson. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, James Thomson. He was much loved and leaves a legacy of lifelong adventure, curiosity, integrity and kindness.

A Navy burial at sea is planned and a memorial service to celebrate Mr. Thomson’s life will be held at noon, Friday, July 31, at the Mercer Island Presbyterian Church with a reception following.

For those coming from Seattle, please be advised of intermittent I-90 closures due to Seafair activities (closure information at www.Seafair.com).

Remembrances are suggested to the Mercer Island Rotary Foundation or Vishal Himalaya Foundation, both at Rotary Club of Mercer Island, P.O. Box 1, Mercer Island, Wash., 98040.