Thomas Henry Asmus, age 71, was called home to the Lord on Dec. 28, 2013, surrounded by his family. He was born Sept. 11, 1942, in Wyandotte, Mich., to Henry and Ruth Asmus. He was raised in Wyandotte, graduating from high school in 1960. Following graduation, Tom enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17 and began a 30-year military career.

Tom was sent to Beeville, Texas and on to Memphis.

His first duty station was Naval Air Station Whidbey. On his time off, Tom visited Cranberry Lake, where he met a young, single life guard, Sherry Halbert. Romance blossomed, and one year later, Tom and Sherry were married.

Tom was transferred to Corpus Christi. Tom took advantage of the GI Bill and began flying lessons. He received his private pilot’s license and instrument rating, as well as his instrument and flight instructor rating. Flying became Tom’s passion.

After a brief transition to Indianola, Miss., Tom was assigned to the USS Inchon, where he was selected as Sailor of the Year. Tom went on the NAS Kingsville, Texas, and in 1977, returned to NAS Whidbey, which become home for the Asmus family. Tom had completed tours in Vietnam and was selected as a limited duty officer.

This would have meant a move to the East Coast and uprooting his family, which he did not wish to do, so he turned down the commission. Tom retired in 1991 as an aviation technician command master chief (E-9). Tom was not one to sit idly in retirement, so he soon began work for Alaska USA Credit Union, working in telephone services and then property management.

Tom then accepted the one job he dreamed of, working for Seattle Pacific University, first as property manager and then as manager of the conference center at Camp Casey, a position he held until his eventual retirement.

Tom was a longtime member of the Whidbey Presbyterian Church, serving as treasurer of the Wealth and Endowment Stewardship Committee.

He was former president of the NAS Whidbey Flying Club. He loved outdoor activities, including boating, water skiing, hunting and fishing, gardening and working as a silversmith. Tom’s greatest love was his family.

Tom is survived by his wife Sherry at the family home; by his mother Ruth Asmus of Oak Harbor and by five children and their spouses: Dana Chambers (Richard) of Gig Harbor; Tanya Asmus of Mercer Island; Eric Asmus of Seattle; Susan Mays (Adrian) of Seattle and Chad Asmus (Kristen) of Charlotte, N.C.. Eight grandchildren also survive: Ashleigh Curdy (Bryant) of Pensacola, Fla.; Kaitlin Chambers-Mills (Joshua) of Beale AFB; Nicholas Chambers and Madeline Chambers of Gig Harbor; Isabella, Fletcher and Sophia Stribling of Mercer Island; and Indigo Mays of Seattle. One sister, Judy Western (Phillip) of Port Charlotte, Fla., also survives.

Memorial services for Tom Asmus were held 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, at the Whidbey Presbyterian Church, Oak Harbor with Pastor Hallack Greider officiating. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories and condolences utilizing the Book of Memories hosted by Wallin Funeral Home at www.wallinfuneralhome.com