Obituary of James W. Solden

James W. Solden 1939 - 2017 Resident of Santa Cruz Jim was born to James Solden and Martha Early in San Francisco on December 1, 1939 but was raised by his grandparents in Mountain View. He died at home on May 21. He joined the US Army after graduating from high school. He served in Korea and upon his return he married his high school sweetheart, Emma Lopez. They moved to Lawton, Oklahoma to finish his service at Fort Sill. They returned to California and settled in Santa Clara. He was thrilled to be hired by the Santa Clara City Fire Department in 1965. During his nearly 30 years with the department he retained the rank of Captain because he preferred to "stay where the action was." He was well respected by his fellow fire fighters and was a strong advocate for women in the department. He was active in many departmental activities, including the firefighters' union. He headed up the "fill the boot" campaign for the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy telethon for many years. He was a major organizer for SCFD to participate in the CA State Firefighters Olympics. He was in prime physical condition and won a combined 5 gold and silver medals in bicycling. He was also a runner. After moving to Bonny Doon, CA he ran and rode the trails and would bicycle to Half Moon Bay to see his Auntie Dot. Occasionally he would ride to his fire station in Santa Clara from Bonny Doon. He competed in many organized runs and the Wharf to Wharf Race. He was an avid fisherman, pheasant hunter, and major NASCAR fan. His racing career started as a young man when he became a member of WAR (Western Auto Racing). During their year in Oklahoma, Emma inadvertently got him in his first "ride." She mentioned to a fellow worker at the Fort that he had raced in California. The next morning he had a car and a sponsor to race at the local track in Lawton. Upon returning to California, he found a ride and sponsor and raced at the old Alviso track, the San Jose Speedway and other tracks on the circuit. After landing in the hospital a couple of times he gave up racing because of his job with the SCFD and his young family. His love of racing continued and he traveled to many major NASCAR tracks throughout the US with his daughter and son-in-law. Jim and his childhood friend Ed Laveroni made several trips to Alaska to fly fish. Friend and Bonny Doon neighbor Norm Krebill joined them for a couple of trips. They started in 2000 at the remote Painter Creek Lodge on the Alaskan peninsula. The next three trips were to the Kenai River and the last was to the Island Point Lodge in Petersburg. For many years family vacations were spent fishing at Lewiston and Fall River. In 1970 Jim and his son David, who was 8 years old, were sitting in a rainstorm by the side of the road in Willows, CA. They were going to go pheasant hunting in the morning. A pickup stopped and asked them what they were doing. When Jim explained, the man told them to go take shelter in the barn over yonder. The "boys" in the barn gave them the fish eye but soon warmed up and welcomed them when Jim said, "Frank sent us." It turned out Frank Leonardo was a dairy farmer and local legend. Jim and Frank forged a friendship that lasted until Frank's death. Now the annual tradition continues with their grandsons. In the early 70's a group of friends, 5 couples, Jim and Emma, Ed and Pat, Leon and Glenda, Bob and Sharon, and Walt and Doris formed a "Gourmet Group." For every dinner there was a theme, from countries to colors, including costumes and sleepovers. Over the years they lost 3 members and gained another and after 45 years and declining health, the group held their final dinner on March 1 at the Solden's home, where fittingly the theme was Comfort Food. Jim, Emma, and Ed all attended Mountain View High. When Ed married Pat, they all became best of friends, and remained so for over 54 years. One crazy night in 1984 they decided to ride tandem bicycles along the entire West Coast. They made it in 3 separate trips. They also rode the RAGBRAI across Iowa in 1994 starting in Council Bluffs by dipping their wheels in the Missouri River and ending in Clinton by dipping their wheels in the Mississippi. It was a ten-day rolling party with 10,000 other bicyclists. Jim and Emma enjoyed the RV lifestyle, taking many RV trips, but their most treasured ones were the five years when they took their two young grandsons every summer. They covered the lower states, the upper states, and all the middle states, up the western coast and eastward. Their goal was to hit as many states as possible and see all the attractions, caves, critters, national parks, and museums. Their final trip took them through Canada to Alaska up through Anchorage to Fairbanks, to Denali National Park, and down to Kenai and Valdez. Jim was a member of SIRS, Branch 20, where he held many posts and served as Big SIR in 2003. As an avid golfer, he enjoyed and participated in many of the SIRS golf tournaments. He also looked forward with great anticipation to the Third Thursday lunch at the Crows Nest with other retired firefighters. He is preceded in death by his grandparents William and Eva Solden; father James G. Solden and stepmother Josephine; mother Martha Strickland and stepfather George; brother Robert Solden who was lost at sea as a teenager; brother Jeff Solden; and aunt Dorothy 'Auntie Dot' DeCot. He is survived by his wife of 57 years Emma, their daughter Cherlyn (Graham) Jones of Santa Cruz; their son David Solden of Santa Cruz; granddaughter Aleda (Justin) Reece and great granddaughter Isla Rose Reece of Royal Oaks; grandson Evan James and fiancé Adia Schamber of Soquel; and grandson Ian Jones of Phoenix, AZ. He also leaves sisters Linda Burke (Don) of Des Moines, IA; Coreen Wright of Springfield, OR; brothers Tim Strickland (Mirta) of Beaverton, OR; Michael McKay (Penny)of Vista, CA; cousin Carol DeCot (Ted Pintarelli) of Truckee, CA; sister-in-law Sandy Solden of Petaluma, CA; and a large extended family of in-laws from the Lopez and Robledo families; and numerous nieces and nephews. He also leaves his dear friends and traveling buddies Ed and Pat Laveroni of Los Gatos; Bob and Dannettee Shoemaker of Santa Cruz; and many friends from the Santa Clara Fire Department. He was a gentleman, devoted family man, smart, witty, generous and caring. His leaving us will leave a hole in the hearts of everyone who knew him. The family would like to thank Dr. Sharon Jamieson, Dr. Neil Sawhney, and the doctors and nurses at Dominican Hospital for their excellent care. Also many heartfelt thanks to the firefighters and paramedics who tried so hard to save him. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, May 31 at 1:00 p.m. at Oakwood Memorial Crystal Chapel, 3301 Paul Sweet Road, Santa Cruz. Memorial contributions preferred to Bonny Doon Fire and Rescue, 7276 Empire Grade, Bonny Doon, Ca 95060