August Eugene “Sonny” Eisner went home to Jesus Christ on Oct. 3, 2011. He was born Aug. 28, 1931, in Reno, Nev., to August Junior and Ruby Pearl Eisner (nee Meissner). Sonny was the oldest of three children and was preceded in death by his wife Charline and his son Edwin.

He is survived by his two sisters, Shirley Gould of Salinas, Calif., and Floramae Shuemake of Firebaugh Calif.; his son Joe; and daughters Covina and Susan of Oak Harbor, his daughter Patty of Guemes Island, and Nancy of Los Banos, Calif. He left behind 16 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Sonny spent his first years living in various areas of Nevada where his father worked until late 1932, when his family relocated to Coits Ranch in California. His family settled in Firebaugh, Calif., while Sonny was still in grammar school. He graduated from Dos Palos High School and joined the U.S. Navy in 1949. When he left active duty, he returned to Firebaugh and went to work for his father at his Mobil Service Station.

He married Charline Sawyer on April 19, 1953, and remained devoted to her until her death in 1985. Soon after his marriage, he was hired at Westside Welding in Firebaugh, where he worked until he moved to Oak Harbor in 1969. Sonny worked as a TV/electronics repairman, managed Rent-it-Center and worked as a commercial fisherman in Puget Sound. His most recent employment was as an apartment manager, which he did in Snohomish, Everett, Seattle and Long Beach, Wash.

Sonny returned to Oak Harbor in April 2010, to live with his daughter Susan and her family. He was an avid motorcyclist and made the thousand mile trip between Los Banos and Whidbey Island many times in the last decade to spend time and laugh with his family and friends. He also rode his bicycle as far away as Portland, Ore. He enjoyed cross-country skiing in the Cascades, and kayaking Puget Sound, Lake Shannon, and many rivers throughout the Northwest.

Sonny believed in making and keeping close friendships and family ties and sharing the life he enjoyed so much. His memorial service was held Oct. 15 at Maple Leaf Cemetery. Donations may be made in his name at www.shepherdwatchinternational.org.