Elmo Owen Thomson passed away surrounded by his loving family March 13, 2005. He was born March 3, 1929, in Lynch, Neb.

He met and married his beloved wife of 57 years, Mary Jane Brundage, in Forest Grove, Ore., and moved to Seattle in 1950, where they settled and raised their five children.

They decided to leave the city and moved to Whidbey Island in 1969. Mr. Thomson started Thomson and Sons Roofing and Sheet Metal and worked closely with his sons through the years. Elmo was the consummate craftsman and metal worker. He loved hunting and fishing, the outdoors and spending time with his family and friends.

He will be dearly missed by his wife, Mary; children Sheri (Mike), Dave (Annie), Dan (Gail), Tim (Pam) and Tom (Darcy); grandchildren Jason, Amber, Rory, Karen Julie, Shane, Ian, Devon, Rachel, Cassie, Jake, Morgan, Garret and Elle; great-grandchildren Chloe, Lane, Emily and Megan.

Family and friends are invited to gather at Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland to remember his life at 6 p.m. March 23.