Thomas E. Solomon Jr.

Preceded in death by father Thomas Solomon, and mother Rosa L. Solomon/Davis. Survived by devoted wife of 61 years Louise Solomon; daughters Toni R. Rahaman (Edris), and Carol L. West (Harvey Jr.); grandchildren Harvey J. West III, Christina M. West, Arikah R. Rahaman, Tiffany C. Rahaman; sister Katherine Solomon; and canine companion Zoey (aka, Hairy). He leaves behind a host of special grandchildren, nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, and friends.
Thomas was born in Springfield, Ohio on December 7, 1939. He was a graduate of East High School in Columbus, Ohio. He served in the Ohio National Guard, and the United States Army in Fort Knox, Kentucky. He retired from Timken Roller Bearing Company in Columbus, Ohio as a Roller Bearing Inspector. After retiring from Timken, he and his wife Louise owned and operated a successful African Boutique Store for several years in Columbus. He had a small section in the African Boutique Store where he also sold penny candy to the local children who adored him and called him, “Mr. Penny”. They then moved to a quiet community in Eatonton, Georgia where they opened a second African Boutique Store, and spent lots of quality time managing their vast estate while living next door to the brother of Alice Walker, author of “The Color Purple”. He was District Head Chaplain, as well as Head Chaplain of Lodge 19 of the Shriners in Georgia, and enjoyed visiting nursing homes and hospitals in the Atlanta area as part of his duties. Due to a slow decline in his health, they returned to Columbus in 2013, and lived quietly until he was no longer able to take care of his normal day to day responsibilities. On the morning of Wednesday, April 1, 2020, he succumbed to his illnesses peacefully at home in his sleep with his devoted wife never leaving his side.
Thomas was a loving husband, father, and proud grandfather who treasured family time with the grandkids at his favorite doughnut shop, as well as many family vacations. He was a man of integrity, and who possessed a constant thirst for knowledge, and was a diligent seeker of truth. Anyone would always find him studying the Holy Bible, and discussing Scripture verses. He will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved him.

Private services Wednesday, April 8, 2020 at MARLAN J. GARY FUNERAL HOME, THE CHAPEL OF PEACE EAST, 5456 E. Livingston Ave.

Interment at Evergreen Burial Park