Thomas E. Soles

Thomas E. Soles, age 69, of Grants Pass, died Thursday, January 31, 2008 at Three Rivers Community Hospital.

A funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Thursday, February 7, 2008 at Hull & Hull Chapel with Father James T. Boston officiating. A graveside service will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, February 8, 2008 at Eagle Point National Cemetery. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Remembrances may be made to Moose Charities Memorial Program, C/O Moose Charities Inc, 155 S International Drive, Mooseheart IL 60539-9903 or Elks Meadowwood, Attn: Carol Berry, PO Box 189, Salem OR 97308.

Thomas was born January 5, 1939 in Monongahela, Pennsylvania to Edwin & Esther Soles. When he was eleven years old, he moved with his family to Orem, Utah. In 1957 he graduated from Orem High School where he served as Class President his senior year. He attended University of Utah and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology in 1961. On December 28, 1961 in San Diego, California he married Patricia Cooper. From 1961 to 1982 he served in the United States Navy and during that time had five tours of duty in Vietnam. He received many medals and commendations including the Navy Commendation Medal with Combat V, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Combat Action Ribbon, and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. He served on 4 different ships: USS Seminole (AKA104), USS R.K. Turner (CG20), USS Bradley (FF1041) where he was Operations Officer; and the USS Newport News (CA148) where he was Combat Information Officer. As an officer aboard the USS Newport News, on October 1, 1972 at 0100 hours, an 8” projectile exploded in the center gun of turret two of the heavy cruiser, while on a support mission in South Vietnam. In the explosion and ensuing fire, 20 sailors died and many more were injured. From Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, he received his Masters Degree in Education. From 1982 until his retirement in 2000 he lived in San Jose California and worked for Northrop-Grumman, a defense contractor. In 2001 he moved to Grants Pass.

He was a member of Western Welcome Newcomers and served as president from 2005 to 2006; Grants Pass/Merlin Moose Lodge #2454; and B.P.O.Elks #1584. Since 2003 he volunteered as a Grants Pass Public Safety Auxiliary Officer.

His hobbies included hunting and fishing and took yearly fishing trips to Mexico; traveling in his motor home; and jigsaw and crossword puzzles. He loved working with his roses and bonsai and most especially spending time with his grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife, Pat Soles of Grants Pass; two daughters, Launa Simon of Phillipsburg, New Jersey and Denise Listol of Morgan Hill, California; a sister, Ruth Anne Wilcox of Naperville, Illinois; a brother, Dr. W. Patrick Soles of Olympia, Washington; six grandchildren; and one great-grandson.