Cmdr. Douglas Wayne Finrow, USNR (Ret.), was born in Seattle on Oct. 5, 1923, and went to be with the Lord on Saturday July 2, 2011 at the age of 87. He is a long-time resident of Oak Harbor where he enjoyed watching the eagles and boats go by his home in Dugualla Bay.

He was a graduate of Roosevelt High School and the University of Washington where he earned a degree in civil engineering. After graduation he joined the effort in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He also served his country in the Korean and Vietnam wars, retiring after 30 years of service as a public works officer for the Navy. After the Navy years he worked as an engineer in a shipyard in San Diego, and built F-16 hangars in Greece and Iran until he returned to Whidbey Island in 1979 where he has resided ever since.

In 1944, Cmdr. Finrow married Mary Virginia Ford of Seattle while he was at midshipman’s school at Notre Dame. Together they raised five sons, Larry, Tom, Fred, Mark and Jeff, and traveled the world to various duty stations. In Hawaii, Douglas was the officer in charge of building the Arizona Memorial, one of our nation’s beloved monuments.

Doug spent much of his retirement years building structures for several mission organizations, including Wycliffe, Africa Bible College in Malawi, Africa and The Evangelical Alliance Mission.

Virginia passed away in 1997. In 1998 Douglas married Rosemay Olsen of Keyport who was his love and companion until his passing.

Doug loved to spend time with his family, to build things for his grandchildren and to relax in the sun on one of his many boats. He loved hunting fishing, playing golf and skiing. He was called “Boat Papa” by his grandchildren because he always had a boat handy to go crabbing or fishing. He loved the people at the First Reformed Church in Oak Harbor where he attended for over 30 years. He always felt the love of Christ in that fellowship.

Doug died the way he lived, spending time with family, praising Jesus and sharing his love with others. He was cared for when his health started failing by his wife, Rosemay, her daughters, his sons, daughters-in-law and many outstanding nurses and aids. Recently Doug suffered a setback requiring him to seek hospital and nursing care. He was getting stronger and thought he was going home on July 2 when the Lord took him to his eternal home. The home he built overlooking Puget Sound is a spectacular place, but where he resides now he has a view higher than the eagles.

Douglas is survived by his wife Rosemay; his five sons, five daughters-in-law (Cherly, Debbie, Nancy, Luca and Michelle); 10 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He will be greatly missed and will remain in our memory forever.

His family invites all who knew Doug to a celebration of his life at 2 p.m., Monday, July 18, First Reformed Church, 250 SW Third Ave, Oak Harbor. Burial to be at Sunnyside Cemetery in Coupeville. Remembrances to the First Reformed Church building fund 250 SW Third Ave., Oak Harbor, WA 98277 and to Children of the Nations, P.O. Box 3970, Silverdale, WA 98383.