Donald C. Tighe died peacefully at his home surrounded by his wife and children in Oak Harbor on Jan. 11, 2009, at the age of 79, following a lengthy illness. He was born Oct. 27, 1929 in San Francisco to Charles and Josephine (Barrow) Tighe. Don was raised in San Francisco and he attended St. Joseph’s Boys’ Grammar School.

Don left high school at the age of 16 and misrepresenting his age, he entered the U.S. Navy. He completed boot camp and was assigned to ship’s maintenance and then trained as a radio operator. He served for nearly two years before the Navy discovered his age and he was discharged. Don returned to civilian life, working as a laborer.

Don re-enlisted in the Navy at age 18 and was sent to Navy boot camp again. This time he returned as a radioman. He was assigned as aircrew, working in electronic warfare communications. He received his first assignment at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station in 1949. Don was a veteran of the Korean War and the Vietnam War. During his career, Don flew on nearly every prop plane the Navy had in the post World War II era, including the TBM, SNJ, AD-3/4/5Q, PBY, S2F, P5M, EC-121 and the P2V among others.

Don was assigned to duty in China, Japan, the Philippines, Europe and the East Coast. He survived two water crashes during his military service, the first off of North Korea and the second off of Saipan. In 1965, Don was transferred to NAS Whidbey Island, where he elected to finish his career with a final deployment with VA-52 on the USS Coral Sea (CVA-43). He also completed his GED and belatedly received his high school diploma. He retired in 1968 as an AT1 (AC) with 22 years of service.

Don met Joyce Thompson, a young widow with four children, while they were carpooling as students from Oak Harbor to Skagit Valley College in Mount Vernon and a romance began. On March 28, 1969, Joyce and Don were married in Oak Harbor. After retiring from the Navy, Don held a variety of jobs. He worked for a time at NAS Whidbey, sold life insurance, and operated Tighe’s Tax Service until forced to retire due to his declining health.

Don had a lifelong passion for scouting. He was an Eagle Scout and had the good fortune to serve as an usher for the very first session of the United Nations when they met in San Francisco in 1945 to draw up their charter. For 25 years, he served as a Scout Master with the Boy Scouts of America. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, camping, traveling, reading, attending college classes and Elderhostel classes. He was very proud of his military service and that of his children and grandchildren. Two sons completed military service, one as a Navy pilot and the other as a member of the Navy’s elite SEAL teams. Three grandchildren are currently on active duty with the U.S. Navy.

Don is survived by his wife Joyce at the family home in Oak Harbor; by his daughter Laura Anne Willkie (Brad) of Ferndale; and his stepchildren, Donald Thompson of Memphis, Tenn., William Thompson (Kathi) of Deary, Idaho, Susan Gonzales (Phil) of Oak Harbor, and Ronald Thompson (Susie) of Coupeville; and his brother, Lawrence Tighe of Oak Harbor. Fifteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren also survive. His previous wife, daughter Kathleen Tighe and son James Tighe preceded him in death.

Don was a member of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church; the Fleet Reserve Association Branch 97; the Veterans of Foreign War, Whitehead Muzzall Post 7392; the Disabled American Veterans, Whidbey Island Chapter 47; and the PBY Association of Whidbey Island.

A Vigil Service will be held at the Cherry Hill Community Clubhouse on Friday, Jan. 23, at 6:30 p.m. with Rev. David Lura of the First United Methodist Church officiating. A Funeral Mass for Donald Tighe will be celebrated at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Oak Harbor, on Saturday, Jan. 24, at 10 a.m. with Rev. Philip Raether as Celebrant. Full military honors will follow under the auspices of the NAS Whidbey Island Honor Guard. Cremation will be held with burial at sea to follow under the direction of the U.S. Navy.

The family would like to thank the wonderful and caring staff of Home Health Care and Hospice of Whidbey General Hospital, especially Nurse Carol Tanner, and Island Home Nursing for their loving efforts in Don’s final weeks. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Friends of Home Health Care (678-7605 or 888-737-6611), the PBY Memorial Foundation (www.pbyma.org) or the Boy Scouts of America (www.mountbakerbsa.org). Family and friends may sign the online guest register at www.burleyfuneralchapel.com. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.