Victor E. “Gene” Solsberry, 83, died March 2, 2010 at VNA Hospice in Vero Beach. He was born Aug. 15, 1926, son of Victor and Isolee Solsberg, in Preston, Mo. He spent his childhood in Preston, Mo., San Bernardino, Calif., and Kansas City. before joining the U.S. Navy at the age of 17 to serve in the Pacific theater of World War II. After the war, Gene owned and ran a gas station in Kansas City where he met the love of his life – Mary Katherine Webb – early in 1948. They were married on Sept. 5, 1948 and began a grand adventure, moving around the country as Gene worked his way up the corporate ladder. Daughter Victoria was born in 1949, followed by Richard in 1950 and David in 1960. During that time, Gene worked in sales for Lever Brothers in Washington, Missouri and Compensation Consultants in Columbus, Ohio, and Pompano Beach, Florida. He joined KAR Products in Chicago in 1964, and by 1966 he was vice president of sales. He retired from KAR in 1980, when he and Kay bought Indian River Ace Hardware in Vero Beach. They owned and operated the store until 1997. He also served as a sales consultant for Kimball- Midwest in Columbus, Ohio from 1988-1991. He was a longtime member of First Church of God, where he taught Sunday School and served as a member of the Board of Elders for many years.He was predeceased by his son, Richard, in 2009. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Kay, his two children Victoria and David (Heather), grandsons Richard, Daniel and Michael, close family friends Larry and Nikki White, brothers Melburn (Marjorie), Charles (Yvonne), Marilyn (Richard), and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. A memorial service will be held at noon Saturday, March 6 at First Church of God, Vero Beach, 1105 58th Avenue. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Source, 1015 Commerce Avenue, Vero Beach (www. iamthesource.org). Condolences may be sent at www. lowtherfuneralhome.com
