Ronald Neil Thompson died suddenly at his home in Oak Harbor on Jan. 8, 2014, at the age of 55. Born in San Diego and raised in Oak Harbor, Ron was active in scouting, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. He was also an honor student at Oak Harbor High School. Following high school, Ron attended the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating with distinction with a bachelor’s degree in systems engineering.

Following commissioning as an ensign, he entered flight school at NAS Pensacola and Kingsville. Ron received his “Wings of Gold” in April 1982 and flew under the call sign “ABE.” His first assignment was as an instructor pilot in Training Squadron TEN, Pensacola, training naval flight officers.

In 1983, he received orders to VA-128, Whidbey Island Naval Air Station, for training as a replacement pilot for the A-6E Intruder. He went on to serve with VA-95 and the “Green Lizards” in the Indian Ocean and two tours on the USS Enterprise, where he served as the personnel and tactics officer.

Cmdr. Thompson returned to VA-128, VA-52, did a Western Deployment onboard the USS Carl Vinson and went “around the horn” aboard the USS Kitty Hawk. With the “Knightriders” he served alternately as operations, maintenance and administrative officer. In 1992, he returned to the “Golden Intruders” as administrative and operations officer.

Cmdr. Thompson received his first assignment away from flying in 1992 with his transfer to the Naval War College in Newport, R.I. Receiving his master’s degree in national securities and strategic studies, he preceded to the USS Abraham Lincoln and deployment to the Persian Gulf. Assigned as the air operations officer, he also acted as the assistant extended drydocking selected restricted availability (EDRSA) officer. During EDRSA, Cmdr. Thompson completed a $200 million overhaul of the Lincoln, her first, and meeting all milestones, came in on time and under budget.

In 1998, Ron assumed duties as operations officer for NAS Whidbey. Responsible for all airfield operations, he also maintained oversight of OLF Coupeville, the Boardman, Ore., target complex and search and rescue coordination of the UH-3H in the North Puget Sound area.

Cmdr. Thompson was awarded Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (three), Navy Expeditionary Medal, Expert Pistol Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), Meritorious Service Medal (two) and the Navy Achievement Medal (two).

Ron Thompson was married to the former Susie Rowand at the First United Methodist Church, Oak Harbor, on Sept. 6, 1980. They have one daughter, Hope, who graduated from Western Washington University last June. He was preceded in death by his father Norman Ronald Thompson and his stepfather Don Tighe.

Following retirement from the Navy on Dec. 31, 2000, Ron began a new career as a pilot for United Airlines. He was initially assigned as a Flight Engineer on the 727-200 in Chicago. After just four months, Ron returned to the training center to become a first officer on the 737-300/500 and was sent to the San Francisco domicile. After Sept. 11, 2001, Ron and 591 United Pilots were furloughed.

The winter of 2001-02 was spent as a lift operator at Mount Baker. Ron was the weekday king of chair 7, spending 80 days on the mountain. Ron followed this low-paying but highly enjoyable job by returning to his first love, flying, first with Mesa Airlines, then for Avenge in Afghanistan and, finally, his current job with DynCorp International in Baghdad, Iraq.

Ron is survived by his wife Susie, daughter Hope, brothers Don and Will, sisters Susan Gonzales and Laura Wilkie, mother Joyce Tighe, and numerous nieces and nephews. Ron was a lifelong member of the Naval Academy and the Tailhook Association

In lieu of flowers, Ron would be honored if you would make a donation to the Naval Academy, www.usna.com; the Tailhook Scholarship Fund, www.tailhook.net; or the Tailhook Association, 9696 Businesspark Ave, San Diego, CA 92131.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan.18, at Wallin Funeral Home and Cremation, with David Lura, CHC, U.S. Navy (Ret.), officiating. A reception for family and friends will follow. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories and condolences utilizing the Book of Memories hosted by the Wallin Funeral Home at www.wallinfuneral home.com