Doug Francis was born June 7, 1929 in Edinburgh, Scotland to Kenneth Victor Francis and Linda Mavis Appleby-Francis; he passed away August 23 2012 in Oak Harbor, Washington..

Doug graduated high school after enlisting in the US Navy in 1946, where he served for 25 years before retiring as a Lieutenant Commander in 1971. He was recalled into the Navy in 1984 to serve until 1986. Doug was known as a “Mustang”, in that he rose from the enlisted ranks, went to Officer’s Candidate School and earned the rank of Ensign. He graduated from flight school at Corpus Christi, Texas in 1956 and began his Naval flying career. During his Naval career, Doug was assigned to Moffett Field, Guam, China Lake, Hawaii, Lemoore and Miramar to name just a few stations. He served two combat tours aboard the USS Kitty Hawk in the Vietnam Theater. Among his many awards two were very important to him: The Air Medal and The Purple Heart. After leaving the Navy he attended San Francisco State University, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree.

Doug moved to Whidbey in 1991 where he was very active in efforts to save NAS Whidbey from being closed. He is also a member of the Association of Naval Aviation (Whidbey Squadron), Whidbey Island Radio Control Society, serving two terms as president, the Oak Harbor Municipal Pier Committee for ten years, as well as serving on the Island County Planning Commission.

Doug is survived by his wife, Kathleen Shaw, at the family home in Oak Harbor, children: Joyce Bolin of Mission Viejo, California, Robin Baker of Rocklin, California, Bruce Francis of Peavy, Missouri and Samantha Francis of Brunswick, Maryland. He also leaves brothers Merrill Francis of Pasadena, California and Blair Francis of San Diego, California, along with sisters Diane Francis-Williams of New Mexico and Jennifer Francis-Martin of Bozeman, Montana. He was preceded in death by his brother Derek Francis.

A graveside service with full military honors will be held at Bayview Cemetery 1420 Woburn St. Bellingham, Wa. Saturday, September 15, 2012 at 2:00.

Speical thanks to The Hospice of the Northwest and to David Cleary for keeping Doug “Navy Trim”. Donations maybe made to The Hospice of the Northwest 814 S 13th St. Mt. Vernon, Wa. 98274

Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, where family and friends may go online at www.burleyfuneralchapel.com to sign a register book and leave remembrances.