James Edward Solomon III, beloved brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and friend died Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at home after a hard-fought battle with cancer. He was 74 years old.
Eddie was the fifth child and first boy born to Captain James Edward Solomon Jr. and Katherine Foley Solomon while they were stationed in Frankfurt, Germany on June 17, 1951. He had a well-traveled childhood, eventually settling in Vicksburg, MS, where he graduated from St. Aloysius High School. A few years later, Eddie and his high school sweetheart, Carmen Callaway Solomon, moved to Granite City, IL, where they had three children, Heather, Melanie, and Jason. Additionally, they were second parents to their nieces, Rebecca, Kate, and DJ Ross, and their nephew, Jim Ross.
Eddie worked in the auto-body industry, taking pride in restoring beauty to damaged cars and trucks. Like all the Solomon men, Eddie was a gifted artist. He chose to express that artistic impulse through gardening, raising vegetables and an array of plants, as well as more traditional painting and even stained-glass work. He combined the artistic streak with a strong mechanical knack. There was little that Eddie could not turn his hand to. The older he grew, the more he let his softness and his humor show, endearing him to those he met. He saved his spicier moments for spirited but loving squabbles with his daughter, Melanie.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James Jr. and Katherine Foley Solomon; his eldest sister, Linda Given, a nephew, Jim Ross; a niece, DJ Ross; and a sister-in-law, Margie Solomon.
He left many who will mourn his absence including his children, Heather Murphy of Springfield IL, Melanie Denton (Terry) of Belleville IL, and Jason Solomon of Orange Park FL. His loss will also be deeply felt by his nine grandchildren, John Hargis, Jr., Jenna Hargis, Brittany Hargis, Dylan Morris, Kage Macke, Rogan and Remi Geppert, Alyssa Lear, Rocco Solomon, and Xavier Solomon; one great-granddaughter, Jayla Hargis; his closest friend, Carmen Callaway Henke of Roxana IL, who will miss him dearly; five siblings, Lee Evans of Vicksburg, MS, Patty Canizaro of Kansas City, MO, Kathy Gibson (aka Sr. Maria Catherine) of Lafayette, LA, Phyllis “Susie” Ross of Vicksburg, MS, and John Solomon of Liberty, MS, who all wish him a well-earned rest; nieces and nephews; and great-nieces and great-nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or Hospice of Southern Illinois. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, July 5, 2025, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 5, 2025, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, with Msgr. William McGhee officiating.
