Lewis Solomon

Lewis (“Lou”) Anthony George Solomon, Sr.

October 27, 1931 - April 9, 2025Lewis (“Lou”) Anthony George Solomon, Sr., of Kingston Springs,Tennessee, departed from this world on April 9, 2025 at the age of 93.He was a warm and generous friend and a devoted husband and father.

Lou was born on October 27, 1931 in Allentown, Pennsylvania, to Rose Marie and Samuel B. Solomon as one of the oldest of what would grow to be a very large family. He graduated from Allentown High School in 1948.

Lou had a determination that was unmatched. When he set out to do something, he did it. In his high school yearbook, he stated he wanted to become a pilot and own a mechanic shop, and he did just that! It was this determination that carried him through many trials in life. His family and friends knew him as unshakeable, steadfast, and dependable.

Inspired by World War II and his father, and through some clever coercion of his mother, Lou joined the Air Force at the age of 17. He went on to serve in the Korean War, ending up in the same region of Korea at the same time as his father. After the war, he went through officer school and pilot training,which moved him and his growing family around the country a good deal -including to Maine and South Dakota. Lou flew many different planes around the world, but he flew the behemoths B-47 and B-52 the most,completing many alert missions during the Cold War. He became a flight instructor and earned several awards for his service, most notably the Commendation Medal as a B-52 Aircrew Commander in the 62ndBombardment Squadron. If you chatted with Lou long enough, you would be entertained with one (or a few) of his wild flight stories.

After retiring from the Air Force at the age of 37, Lou settled in Shreveport,Louisiana with his family and began his next chapter as an entrepreneur. He owned a Shell service station, where his shop became a staple on the corner of Mansfield Road. His loyal customers trusted him implicitly with their vehicles -for either a fill up or a tune up. He later opened Lou’s Auto Repair, where he successfully operated for several years until moving to Tennessee in 1996.

After moving to Tennessee, Lou tried his hand at property management, real estate, and even attended college in his 70s at Middle Tennessee State University. When he finally retired, he enjoyed golfing, bowling, gardening,watching westerns and Fox News, and spending time with his wife and family. One of his joys in life was sharing a good meal with family, particularly his spaghetti recipe. He would often say, “I don’t eat to live; I live to eat.”

Lou is survived by his wife Sandie Solomon; numerous brothers and sisters;sons Tony Solomon (Lisa), Lewis Solomon, Jr. (Supranee), and Doyle Voelkel(Sheri); daughters Marina Shaw (Joe), Casey Ellison (Donnie), LaShea Wilborn(Ernest), and Lynzie Gillespie (Tim); and grandchildren and great grandchildren as numerous as the stars in the sky. He is preceded in death by his father, mother,and several brothers and sisters; his infant son, his son Victor Solomon; his grandson Connor Solomon, and his great granddaughter Anastasia Solomon.

A service will be held in May at Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery,7931 McCrory Lane, Nashville, Tennessee. Details forthcoming.