Thomas F Honan

Thomas F. Honan, 81, of Olympia, WA, passed away April 16, 2026, in Seattle. Born May 22, 1944, in New Haven, Conn., Tom lived with courage, curiosity, intelligence, and an enduring sense of adventure.

He is survived by his wife Nancy; stepdaughter, Sierra Pringle; sister, Kay Cushman; and niece, Kylee Cushman.

A graduate of Tufts University, Tom served as an Airborne Ranger in Vietnam, where he was wounded in combat and awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

After teaching high school English, he built a successful marketing career with Pepperidge Farm, Olympia Brewing Company, Westours, Holland America Line, and Princess Cruises, where he served as VP of Marketing. He later founded Madrona Marketing.

Adventure and curiosity defined Tom’s life. During a year-long sabbatical, he completed an independent around-the-world bicycle journey with Nancy and Sierra, who at age 12, rode her own bicycle throughout the entire year. Together they traveled through China, Bali, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, U.S.S.R., Germany, Italy, France, and Ireland.

Tom's love of skiing began in New England and continued for more than 40 years as he skied most of the West's major ski areas with family and friends. He spent more than 30 years backpacking throughout the Pacific Northwest, climbed Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams, and Mount Hood; completed Seattle Marathon, Seattle Triathlon, Seattle-to-Portland, and Seattle-to-Vancouver bicycle rides; fished in Alaska; skydived on his 70th birthday; and rode his Harley-Davidson to Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Tom and Nancy wove travel into their work and personal lives, spending two months in India, a month in South Africa, and bicycling the Danube, France’s Loire Valley, Belgium and throughout The Netherlands.

A lifelong sports car enthusiast, Tom raced Datsun 210s and owned Datsun 240Zs, BMWs, a Pontiac GTO, and other performance cars. He was an accomplished writer and photographer who loved hiking with THEM (Tuesday Hikes Especially for Men) and approached every interest with curiosity, discipline, and a desire to perfect it.

As president of the Madrona Beach Water System Board, Tom worked to ensure a reliable water supply for his community and was a dedicated advocate for water conservation.

Above all, Tom treasured the adventures he shared with Nancy and Sierra. He was also the family historian, keeping in touch with family members, hometown buddies, college and cruise industry friends across the country and sharing stories of the past. He will be remembered for his courage, generosity, intelligence, and enthusiasm for life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Community Farm Land Trust, at Communityfarmlandtrust.org/donate.html, a cause that reflected Tom's commitment to preserving the land and natural resources he loved.

Celebration of Life
Saturday, August 15, 2026, 1:00 p.m. 
Prosperity Grange 
3701 Steamboat Island Road 
NW Olympia, WA