James Paul Solon

A funeral service for James will be held Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at 11:00 AM at St Cecilia Catholic Church, 12250 SW 5th St, Beaverton, Oregon 97007.

James Paul Solon, 61, died of natural causes on August 19, 2024, at home in Beaverton, OR. He was predeceased by his parents James J. Solon and Genevieve A. Solon (née Danielczyk). He is survived by his brothers Patrick (Laura). Of Glenview, Illinois, and David (Darlene), of Detroit Michigan, and his uncle Edward (Betty) Daniels, of Decatur, Indiana, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was born in Detroit, Michigan on June 4, 1963. He had a love of hard work, an interest in cars, and an aptitude for all things mechanical from an early age, which he put to use in various skilled trades and his chosen field of mechanical engineering. He received a Bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University in 1991 and a Master’s degree from the University of Michigan in 1993, both in mechanical engineering. Jim Solon, his father, used to joke that he somewhat regretted Jimmy becoming an engineer, because Jim senior used to have a great, free car mechanic in Jimmy, until Jimmy went to school and became an engineer, costing Jim senior his skilled, free mechanic. Jim’s work as an engineer began at Altair Engineering in Michigan, followed by 25 successful years with Daimler Truck North America in Portland, where he proudly contributed to the design of Freightliner trucks and other vehicles.

Throughout his life he also loved the outdoors and especially reptiles and amphibians, both in the wild and as pets. He loved living in Portland. He still remembered Ann Arbor and Detroit fondly, cheering for the University of Michigan sports teams. We are happy he got to enjoy it when earlier this year Michigan football won the national championship.