Denton "Bud" Thomsen's Obituary
Denton Norris Thomsen "Bud", 96 of Gig Harbor, Washington passed away on July 11, 2023. Of Gig Harbor was re-united with his beloved wife, Sylvia on July 11, 2023, at the age of 96.
Bud was born and raised in North End Tacoma. He graduated from Stadium High School in l945 and was drafted into the Army in June of that same year. After basic training, he was deployed to Korea for one year. Upon his return to the States, he attended the University of Puget Sound on the GI Bill, was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, and graduated in 1951.
In 1952 he was employed by Washington Steel Products, a builder’s hardware manufacturer and after six years he became the Manufacturing Sales Representative for the company. In 1991 he retired at the age of 65 after 39 years in sales.
Bud was active in all sports. He was a lifelong member of the Tacoma Elks Lodge and twice won their Singles Handball Championship. He also was a lifelong member of the YMCA and one of their principal fundraisers for forty years.
In 1964 he was admitted to the Pierce County Fast Pitch Hall of Fame and in 2017 he received the “Cy Greenlaw Old-Timers Salute Award honoring recipients for the longevity and contributions to sports during their outstanding careers.
But Bud said one of his greatest joys was coaching Pot and Kettle Little League Baseball in his North End Tacoma neighborhood.
Bud is survived by his four children: Tim (Sally), Janet Oliver (Larry), Bob (Pam), and Mike (Lisa), 10 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.
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