James Sollie

James Wendell Sollie, 79, of Tupelo, passed away peacefully on January 31, 2023. He was born March 31, 1943, in St. Paul, Minnesota to William Sollie and Julia H. (Dale) Sollie of St. Paul, Minnesota. Jim graduated high school from Concordia Academy (St. Paul, Minnesota) in 1961. He was a United States Air Force veteran, working as a Refrigeration Specialist. After proudly serving his country, he used his Air Force training to make a career as a Refrigeration Service Technician for Liquid Carbonic / Praxair.

Jim had a unique passion for working on vehicles, especially his beloved 1934 Ford Sedan street rod. He was an active participant of street rod clubs wherever he lived, and he was a frequent attendee of many local street rod events such as Tupelo’s own annual Blue Suede Cruise. His creative passions spilled over to many other hobbies. He enjoyed woodworking, tinkering around in his garage and workshop. Jim loved cooking, and his family and friends loved his wonderful meals.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Holly McPhail.

He is survived by his sister; Geraldine Gauthier of Port Orange, Florida; his daughter Brenda Sollie Potts (Wade) of North Port, Florida, his son Bryan Sollie (Bobby Jo) of Mandan, North Dakota; his stepdaughters Tracy (Bill) Walker of Oak Ridge, Tennessee and Elizabeth Morgan of Louisville, Tennessee; his two step-sons James Wolfgram of Monterrey, Tennessee and Daniel Wolfgram of Oak Ridge, Tennessee; his granddaughters; Jayesa Reilly, Madalyn Fisher, Rebecca Kidwell, Daly Foncree, Sarah Ayers, Bree Baacki, and Haley Wolfgram; his good friend Donna Downs of Phoenix, Arizona; and his many good friends, street rod buddies; and his extended family.

His work and retirement took him all over the country, which included Madison, WIsconsin, Hastings, Mennesota, and finally Tupelo. Regardless of wherever he was, Jim was proud of his Norwegian heritage and equally proud of his family that he loved very much. To know Jim was to immediately be Jim’s friend. He had a wonderful gift of making people feel welcome and appreciated.

Jim’s interment will be at 1 pm, at the North Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery, in Kilmichael, Mississippi, on Friday June 23, 2023. Pegues Funeral Directors has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Expressions of sympathy and fond memories may be shared at PeguesFuneralHome.com.