John Zivko Soso

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University of Southern California

John Soso Obituary

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SOSO

JOHN ZIVKO SOSO

Died peacefully in his sleep September 8, 2005, at the Parkview Health Care Center in Hayward, CA. Mr. Soso was born July 28, 1912, in Angels Camp, CA, the eldest child of Zivko and Anna Soso. At the age of ten, he and his family moved to Jackson, CA. After completing high school in Jackson, Mr. Soso attended San Francisco State College, graduating in 1936. He received a teaching credential from the University of Southern California the following year. He taught school in Big Pine, CA and San Francisco, until 1942 when he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served as a lieutenant in the Field Artillery in Normandy, France, arriving a week after D-Day. He received the Bronze Star and was discharged as a captain. After the war, Mr. Soso returned to Jackson, where he met and married his wife of 59 years, the late Jacklyn Cummings Soso. In 1946 he received a Masters degree in Education from the University of Southern California and began teaching elementary school in San Francisco. He was principal at the Paul Revere Elementary School at the time of his retirement in 1973. He believed that by giving each child the tools of success-reading, writing and arithmetic-he was improving the future for everyone. Mr. Soso was a past member of the San Francisco Masonic Lodge and the Castro Valley Masonic Lodge. He was a member of the Slavonic Mutual and Benevolent Society In San Francisco. He served as President of the Bay Area Chapter of Americans United. Mr. Soso traveled around the world, including extensive journeys with his wife throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe by VW camper and RV motor home. He supported and attended the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, OR for many years. He is survived by sons, Steven of Castro Valley, CA and Randy of Orinda, CA, and four grandsons, Jeremy, Evan, Carter and Grant. Visitation will be held Tuesday, September 13, 2005 at Sorensen Brothers Mortuary in Hayward, CA and Thursday, September 15, 2005 at Daneri Mortuary in Jackson, CA. Burial will follow at the St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church in Jackson. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the California Retired Teachers Association Scholarship Fund, or the Nature Conservancy.

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Published by ANG Newspapers from Sep. 10 to Sep. 12, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for John Soso

6 Entries

Stephanie Hall

December 6, 2024

I went to Paul Revere in 1972-73. I remember Mr SoSo. Rest in Peace.

Jane and John Cavala

September 23, 2005

Dear Randy and Catherine,

John and I were very sorry to read of your father's death. We extend our deepest sympathy to you and your family, and hope you take comfort in knowing that you are in our thoughts.

With love,

Jane and John

Elizabeth Ehmke

September 13, 2005

Randy, Catherine, Carter and Grant,

We were so sorry to learn the news about Randy's dad. After reading his obituary, he certainly lived a full life. "Rather than morn the absence of the flame, let us celebrate how brightly it burned."

Thinking of you

Elizabeth and Fred

Germaine Schauer

September 12, 2005

Dear Randy,Steven and families,

We are so sad to read of your dads passing. He was such a good man and we were very fond of him. You are in our prayers.

God Bless, Germaine and Ray Schauer

Frank Patane

September 11, 2005

I attended Paul Rever Elemenary School in San Franciso from 1965 until 1973, Mr. Soso was the serious, suit wearing principal that we all feared, until we were off school grounds. My parents and I would run into him at the market and although I was still scared to death of him, found him to be a nice guy who laughed and joked with my parents. Many times I was sent to his office, intimidating pledge paddles adorning his walls. He knew many of his students names, I had 4 sisters and a brother that also attended Paul Revere, he knew them by their first names as well as my parents, when greeted at PTA meetings.

We supported his campaign when he ran for a seat on the SF Board of Education.

I remember in second grade, he saw me throwing my lunch bag into the trash during lunch, he came over, told me to get it out of the garbage can and then lectured me on the "sins" of throwing away a perfectly good bologne sandwich that my Mom had made for me. "You want me to call your Mother and tell her you threw out the lunch she made for you?" "No, Mr. Soso" After that we were a little more careful with our lunches.

We got to see the fun side of Mr.Soso every halloween. He would grab a microphone and sit up in a 2nd floor window of the school, overlooking the school yard. Hundreds of costumed children with their parents would ring the school yard, he would announce through the PA "OK all the witches!", then a few dozen 'witches would go to the center, everyone would clap, next he would announce "OK, all the cowboys come out!", on and on until we were each called out.

I was very impressed with his biography, I had no idea he had such a rich life. I am sure he will be missed by his family. I want you to know that this morning I called my siblings and told them of his passing, we all had a story or two about our experiences with Mr. Soso, he enriched our lives as well.

Sorensen Bros. Mortuary

September 9, 2005

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.

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