Donald Lee Thompson died Dec. 25, 2003, at his home at Horizon House in Seattle after a warm and cheery Christmas Eve dinner with his family. He was 85 years old.

Born Nov. 10, 1918, in Seattle to Stuart G. and Hazel E. Thompson,. he graduated from Franklin High School in 1936 and the University of Washington in 1940.

He was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II as a pilot in the 134th Bomb Group in Burma and China. He was decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.

He married Jane Dunlap in December 1941. Their two children, Christine and Gary, were both born and raised in Seattle. In June 1969, he married Marilyn T. McFarland and the couple resided on Vashon Island for almost 30 years before Marilyn’s death in 1998.

After the war, he joined his father and uncle in building the Dairy Queen/ Thompson’s Freeze chain in Washington, Oregon and California. He then became an insurance executive, retiring as a Senior Vice President of Fred S. James Company.

Mr. Thompson was an avid sailor, racing and cruising the Northwest’s waters on his boats “Meteora” and “Spray.” He was an active, long-time member of the Seattle Yacht Club, serving as Commodore in 1969, and was also a member of the Corinthian and Quartermaster (Vashon) Yacht Clubs.

He older brothers, Stuart G. Thompson, Jr. of Seattle and Robert F. Thompson of Tacoma, died earlier.

Survivors include his daughter Christine Beck and her husband Darsie of Vashon, his son Stuart G. Thompson, III and stepson Raymond C. McFarland, both of Seattle, and four grandchildren.

There will be a private service at the Church of the Holy Spirit on Vashon followed by a memorial gathering for family and friends at 2 p.m Wednesday, Jan. 7, at the Seattle Yacht Club.

Memorials, in lieu of flowers, can be made to Horizon House Resident Assistance Fund.