Brandon Seann Thompson

was born in Seattle on 19 March 1983 to Tim and Eva Thompson of Bainbridge Island. He died 16 September 2011 at the age of 28 while kayaking off Blakely Harbor Park on Bainbridge Island.Throughout his childhood on Bainbridge Island he was active in wrestling, football and soccer. Later he became a scuba diver and rock climber and also dabbled in skydiving and bungee jumping. He was near completion of his pilot's license.In 2005 Brandon joined the Air National Guard to fulfill his dream of becoming a jet fighter pilot. He was based in Massachusetts for most of his six year stint, working as a crew chief and attending college at Bridgewater State. He completed his military duty in July of this year.He is survived by his parents Tim and Eva Thompson, brother Darrin Thompson and great-aunt Sara Wingate of Bainbridge Island; aunt Rinna Merculieff (Fred Kee) of Little Elm, Texas; uncles Larry Merculieff, Eli Merculieff and Thomas Merculieff of Anchorage, Alaska; and cousins Amy, Christopher, Robert, Ron, Leatha, Marissa, and Ian.He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Imogene and Russel Thompson of Fostoria, Ohio and his maternal grandparents John and Stefanida Merculieff of St. Paul, Pribilof Islands, Alaska.A memorial service will be held at Bayside Church in Kingston, WA on Saturday, October 1st at 1:00 pm.Donations to the Brandon Thompson Memorial Fund can be made at the Bainbridge Island branch of Bank of America