Don Thomson My Friend
I lost a good friend recently, his name was Don Thomson.
Don was a wonderful man who cared deeply for his family and his friends (which were many). I met him at the College Club of Seattle in 1976. We played a lot of Gin Rummy and that is where my memories rest. There was myself, Mark the Shark, The Gin God, Hamburger, and Don the ____ and Marsh.
We all have memories that will live on forever.
He loved to fish and spent many a year in Alaska. He would bring back his catch and distribute it among his friends, he was a jewel of a man. He had Barbara his wonderful wife and two great sons.
His closest friend was Marsh who he shared and office with. For some reason he would call me Marsh and, who knows, it always made me smile. Marsh is a good friend of mine and it was what it was. Good friends love this stuff.
Here is a story from a friend of Don’s:
I remember one day about 10 years ago when Dean Ingram, Don and I were fishing on the Arolik River in Alaska. We were catching Silver salmon, one right after another. After a time we all spread out along “George’s Hole”. Don, however, while moving to a new spot in tall grass, stepped into a hole and fell headfirst in the river making a perfect barrel roll.
He came up moments later sputtering, but with a sheepish smile on his face and climbed back on the bank.
Dean couldn’t help observing, “Well look at that, the Greatest Fisherman in the World fell headfirst into the river”. Don observed, “at least I know where to find them”. He was soaking wet, but this was just a momentary set back. He rung out his clothes got put together again and within 15 minutes was solidly hooked into another salmon.
He will be missed but he left many memories that we can all fall back on.
Love you Don.
