Lt. Cmdr. Gordon J. (Skip) Hines, USN (Ret.), 69, died Oct. 28, 2010, at his home.

He was born Oct. 15, 1941, in Seattle to Gordon L. Hines and Lillian Perko-Hines. He was raised as a military dependent and attended schools in Seattle, the Philippines and Oak Harbor, graduating from Oak Harbor High School in 1959.

In 1959 Skip joined the US Air Force and began working his way through the enlisted ranks. In 1967 he changed services to the US Navy where he continued work in aircraft maintenance. He was commissioned as an officer in 1978, thus becoming one of the select few “Mustangs” in the Navy. He was extremely proud of his service to our country.

In 1966 Skip married Eileen Jessen in Denver, Colo., and together they raised three children.

During his military service, Skip was stationed in Colorado, California, Okinawa, Tennessee, Japan, Washington, D.C., Washington state, England and Florida, serving on the USS Coral Sea and the USS Enterprise during the Vietnam War. He also served on the USS Midway, the USS Nimitz and the HMS Daedalus. When Skip retired from the Navy in 1989 he moved back to Whidbey Island, where he and Eileen would be close to family.

He studied culinary arts after retiring and started a second career as a chef working at the Yacht Club, the Majestic in Anacortes, Teddy’s in Freeland and the Elks Club in Oak Harbor. Along with cooking, he enjoyed tending his beautiful yard, counted cross stitch, carving, reading and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Skip is survived by his wife of nearly 45 years at the family home along with his children, Renee’ (Frank) Mueller of Coupeville, Michele (Rick) Chapman of Oak Harbor, and Skip (Emilie) Hines of Kirkland; grandchildren Trevor and Paige Mueller, Codie Davis, Jonathan, Jared and Hailey Chapman; step-grandchildren Kris, Kammie and Erik (Andrea) Chapman and Blake, Cole, Isabel and Jillian Hines; his sister, Lillian (James) Miller; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, John.

A memorial service for Skip will be held Saturday, Nov. 13, at 2 p.m. at Burley Funeral Chapel to include military honors, with a reception following at the Best Western Harbor Plaza Ballroom. Arrangements were entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel where family and friends may go online at www.burleyfuneralchapel.com to sign a guest register and leave memories for the family. Remembrances may be made to Disabled Veterans of America, Oak Harbor chapter.