age 88, longtime Anacortes resident, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 5, 2012, of natural causes.
Mr. Threet was born November 17, 1924, in Browns, IL. He was the first son of Ivy C. and Daryl Threet. He was a graduate of the University of Illinois, where he received a Bachelors Degree in Chemistry in 1944 before serving two years in the Marine Corps in the Pacific Theater as a Japanese language interpreter. Following his military service he returned to the University of Illinois to obtain a Bachelors and Masters Degree in geology. He received his PhD in geology from the University of Washington and in 1952 joined the faculty of geology at the University of Nebraska. From Nebraska he moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, to become professor of geology at the University of Utah. He then ended his teaching and research career in geology as a member of the faculty of San Diego State University.
His interests throughout his career were field geology, environmental geology and surveying, through which he had a positive influence on the lives of hundreds of young geologists. In later years he was widely recognized as an expert witness in these fields.
Nearing retirement he and his wife developed a keen interest in sailing the coastal waters off Southern California, but upon retirement from San Diego State University they chose to return to the Pacific Northwest to sail the countless bays and channels of offshore Anacortes. In Anacortes they built their dream home deep in the woods of western Anacortes, where he enjoyed many years of activities such as gardening, building sundials, cutting firewood and tending to their home.
Preceding him in death were his parents and his son Dave. He is survived by his dear wife and constant companion, Dorrie Stevens Threet. They were childhood sweethearts at age fifteen and married ten days after he returned from the service. They celebrated their sixty-sixth wedding anniversary this past August. Also surviving him are his daughters: Patty Unger and her husband Bob of San Diego, CA and Nancy Carlson and her husband John of Anacortes, and by his son Bob and his wife Margie of Santee, CA; eight grandchildren; his brothers: Jack C. Threet and his wife Katy of Houston, TX and his James K. Threet and his wife Doris of Savoy, IL, and his sister Sue Petrea and her husband Buddy of Salisbury, NC; also, by many nieces, nephews and other relatives.
In keeping with his wishes, no services are planned. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the University of Illinois Foundation—Threet Professorship Fund, 1305 W. Green St., Urbana, IL 61801, or to a charity of choice. Family and friends are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.whidbeymemorial.com.

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