Allan Lee Thomlinson

Allan was born in Yakima, WA, on September 18, 1948, to Harry and Ilene Thomlinson of Union Gap, WA. He attended Union Gap Elementary School and graduated from Eisenhower High School in 1967, attended Yakima Valley College, and graduated from Central Washington University in 1971. He also attended the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Mill Valley, California.

Upon his father’s retirement, Allan took over his father’s business, Old Town Garage and Auto Sales in Union Gap. He was a mastermind with vehicle diagnosis and repairs. Despite conducting business, his main focus was to live and share his faith with everyone who entered his shop. Due to his calm presence and interest in their lives, customers were drawn to him, and many came to know Jesus. He continued to run his business and witness to others, even while bedridden for the past fourteen months. He ministered to hundreds of people over the years as he lived out his faith.

Throughout his life, Allan was actively involved in his community and served several years on the Union Gap City Council. He was also devoted to church ministries and served in numerous capacities including teaching, singing, and directing choir. When illness prevented physical involvement, he continued involvement in Bible study groups by phone and online throughout his illness. He was continually a witness of his faith in Christ to those around him, even while bedridden.

Allan relished his childhood memories and was devoted to family and friends. He went to great lengths to stay in touch with all of them throughout his life. He loved the outdoors and all of God’s creation. He was a hunter and fisherman from childhood and loved camping and boating with family and friends. He also loved playing cards and dice games, especially with his grand-daughters and nieces and nephews. He was known for being a lucky winner!

Allan was preceded in death by his older brother Larry Edward Thomlinson, and by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Karen, stepsons Brent Nyland and Jonathan Sanner of Yakima, his daughter Kristi and husband Scott Williams, two grand-daughters, Anne and Margaret Williams of Spokane Valley, WA, brother, William Thomlinson of Scottsdale, AZ, sister, Betty and husband Carl Chavers of Pasco, WA, nephew, Tyler and wife Cheri Chavers of Vancouver, WA, niece, Tiffany and husband Terry Evans, and niece, Tracy Chavers of Pasco, WA, nephew, Matt and wife Dana Thomlinson of Seattle, WA, niece, Kendra and husband Matt Gomlack, serving in the U.S. Army in Belgium, and nine great nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the precious caregivers and hospice staff from both Crescent Healthcare and Ohana House for their loving care throughout his illness.

Celebration of life service will be held on Thursday, October 23rd, 1:00pm at Stone church, 3303 Englewood Ave., Yakima, WA 98902.

In lieu of flowers, make donations to: Samaritan Purse Ministries, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607-3000 or online at https://www.samaritanspurse.org.