James Joseph Solon, 84, of Spearfish, SD, died Sunday evening, December 2nd 2007 at Spearfish Regional Hospital.
Rosary and Vigil services will take place at 7:00PM on Wednesday, December 5th 2007 at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish, with Deacon Vern Rath officiating.
Funeral Mass will be held at 9:00AM on Thursday, December 6th 2007 at Saint Joseph's Catholic Church in Spearfish with Father Tim Hoag as Celebrant, burial will be at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Rapid City, SD.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions will be given to the Spearfish Senior Center and the Lions Club Sight and Service.
James Joseph Solon was born February 16, 1923-the son of Harold E. (Buff) Solon and Mary Alice Mulquin Solon. He was born in Terraville, SD but lived in Kadoka, SD until he was in the 6th grade when the family moved to Rapid City, SD. He graduated from Cathedral High School in Rapid City in 1941, and from the School of Mines in 1944 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. Jim enlisted in the US Navy after graduation from SDSM & T and served his boot camp at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station in Illinois. He was then assigned to Officer Training School at Columbia University in New York City. He graduated from this school in June of 1945 with a commission of Ensign. He served at the Naval Gun Factory in Washington, D.C. and the Ammunition Depots in Hingham, MA and Port Chicago, CA. He was discharged from the service in 1946 and returned to Rapid City.
In the fall of 1952, he attended BHSC for one quarter to complete work on his teaching certificate and began teaching math in Lemmon, SD. During his stay in Lemmon, Jim earned a Masters Degree in Secondary Education from USD-Vermillion. He remained in Lemmon for nine years-three as a teacher and six years as the high school principal. In Lemmon, he married Eileen Valley in 1953. In 1962 he was hired as the high school principal in Hot Springs, SD and he served in that capacity for three years. In 1965 he was hired as the principal of Huron Senior High School in Huron, SD. He held that position for 20 years. He retired in 1985 after serving our state as a school administrator for 30 years. Upon retirement he moved to Spearfish and has lived there since 1988.
Jim was an avid sports fan. He played 5 years with the Rapid City American Legion Baseball team. As a senior in high school he was an all-state basketball player at Cathedral. Jim is a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and is a member of the Spearfish Lions Club, Knights of Columbus and Spearfish Senior Center.
Jim is survived by his wife Eileen of Spearfish, David Solon of Lead, Cheryl Holt of Los Angeles, CA, Brad Solon of Rapid City and Gerri Moore of Sundance, WY. He had 9 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his only brother-Pat Solon of Colorado Springs, CO and several aunts and uncles.
Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at: fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com