Obituary - Ted Solomon

Ted Solomon, age 87, died of natural causes at Northern Montana Hospital Sunday, February 18, 2024.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 2, 2024, starting at noon in the 4-H Chuckwagon on the Great Northern Fairgrounds in Havre.

A luncheon will folllow the Celebration of Life.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Wilderness Funeral Home.

Ted was born February 9, 1937 in Platinum, Alaska to Harry and Elsie (Martin) Solomon. At the age of 5, he came to Montana with his father and his sister, Ruth. Having lost his mother at a young age, he stayed with relatives until he was old enough to live with his father on the ranch. He attended Lawler School, then school in Pompey's Pillar and then Havre Public Schools. His mother was very dear to him and he spoke of her often.

After his father passed away, unexpectedly, in 1961, Ted took over the ranch at 24 years old. Ted ranched and farmed for the rest of his lifetime, along with many other ventures.

He started Solomon Exploration Service, drilling several gas wells on his own property that still operate today. He also owned a flying service, Solomon-Johnson Aerial Spraying, that he operated with Pete Johnson. Ted also started Solomon Sports Fishing, chartering fishing trips, brokering fish and carrying freight from the Bering Sea. In 1988, Ted started Solomon Fire Equipment, contracting wildland fire engines to the U.S. Forest Service. All of his ventures left him with lifelong friends, with whom he shared many good memories and experiences.

Ted was a talented boxer and boxing coach in The Havre Boxing Club. He boxed from 1953 to 1973, winning several Golden Gloves State Championships.

He was a board member of the Land & Mineral Owner's Association, and a member of the North Central Montana Stockgrowers Association. One of his fondest memories was participating in the 1989 Great Montana Centennial Cattle Drive. In 2022, he was honored to receive the Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Agricultural Leader of the Year.

He was also a devoted member of the Church of Latter Day Saints and greatly valued the congregation members. Ted loved life, and enjoyed many pastimes including traveling, camping, pinochle, movies, music and dancing. He had the luck to meet and visit with Charlie Pride, and Marie Osmond, act a small part in a movie with Steven Seagal ("The Patriot," filmed near Ennis) and see Elvis Presley live in concert twice.

Ted had eight children, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. From his marriage to Myrna Egbert, he had four children, Todd (Lori), Tonna, Trenna Maupin, Doug (Sarah). From his marriage to Carol Shirtliff, he had two children, Kimberly (Shawn) Stover and Shannon.

In 1979, Ted married Gail (Kallenberger), with whom he shared the rest of his life, and they had two children. Chancin (Casey) and Denali (Cory Brothers).

Ted lived life with enthusiasm and joy. He will be greatly missed.

Memorials can be made to:

Friends of Beaver Creek Park, PO Box 2604, Havre, MT 59501 Bear Paw Volunteer Fire Department (BPVFD), PO Box 1185, Havre, MT 59501.