James Donald Solomon

James “Jim” Solomon was born on April 20, 1937 in Culbertson, Nebraska and passed on peacefully in Tacoma, Washington on March 8, 2025. Jim was attended to by his immediate family in the days leading to his passing and is survived by his wife, Iris; daughter Ashlie (Steph Terrien); sons Jeff (Ashlee) and Paul (Shannon); grandchildren Ethan, Ryan, Presley, and Quinn; and extended family near and far. Oh, and dare it be forgotten, he is also survived by his dog Maggie.

Jim grew up the youngest of four brothers on the family farm in western Nebraska where he learned the value of honest, hard work and the colorful language of the farmhand. Jim pursued his higher education at McCook Junior College and then on to the University of Nebraska. After earning his degree, Jim was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. Jim’s commission led him to an assignment near Greenville, South Carolina where he met Iris, who would become his wife and verbal sparring partner for more than 60 years.

During his twenty-year military career, Jim worked as a navigator on military transport aircraft before retiring at the rank of Major. Jim proudly served in deployments across the world and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. Jim’s last station was at McChord Air Force Base, near to which the family located their home in Puyallup, Washington. There, Jim retired from the Air Force in 1982 and made the family home in Puyallup a permanent station, where he greatly enjoyed the property’s workshop, large yard, and Mount Rainier view.

After leaving active duty, Jim began his second career as a home builder and remodeling contractor. Jim kept the operation small, first teaming with Air Force friends, then later mostly working alone but at times with the temporary conscripted labor of sons Jeff and Paul, to whom he passed on his varied skills and knowledge (more so to Paul as the willing learner). Jim was well regarded for his work ethic, thriftiness, and ingenuity. As is typical of many in the trade, Jim never stopped tinkering on the family home by incorporating many of his design and project ideas. Mostly, that tinkering occurred under the direction and supervision of Iris, mostly with success.

In retirement, Jim enjoyed watching old Western movies and television shows, eating Frostys from Wendy’s, and ordering people around. He enjoyed time with friends and would reliably imbibe margaritas at his favorite Mexican restaurant in weekly visits.

Throughout his life, Jim was cherished by his children and grandchildren for his selfless generosity in freely giving his time, talents and resources. He will be remembered by family and friends for his good humor and quickness to laugh. Jim is and will be missed by all who knew him.