Dawson Alexander Solly passed away in his sleep due to complications arising from Type 1 Diabetes on February 10, 2015 in Helena, MT. Son of Brad and Kirsten Solly and younger brother of Troy, he was born in Seattle on March 16, 1994. Dawson lived an abundant life, filling each day with an appreciation for the great outdoors and working towards goals as concrete as completing his Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering at Carroll College (Class of 2016) and as fleeting as making sure he turned at least one frown into a grin each day. Dawson spread kindness wherever he went, a mischievous spirit and loving soul housed inside an athletic 6’ 2” body. He rarely passed up an opportunity to tell an admittedly bad joke or confound his friends with a card trick in order to brighten their day.
Dawson was especially close to his family, finding joy in the everyday things they did together like cooking up a fantastic meat-laden meal, hiking in the woods near his home in Issaquah, playing in the snow with his dog Luna, or being on the water at Lake Sawyer and Puget Sound. Dawson had an appreciation for the simple things in life that was well beyond his years. He often stopped what he was doing to watch the sunset – taking in this natural wonder was enough to restore his spirit at the end of a long day filled with hard work. He would share these moments by taking a picture of the sky, adding a few reflective words of his own and sending it out to friends and family, sharing the peace he was feeling and hoping they would feel it too.
Dawson was selfless. He did not hesitate to pitch in and work hard for the good of the team, whether by taking up the obscure bassoon for the Liberty High School Band or being the first to take on the Hammer Throw event for the Carroll College Track and Field team. His habit of setting clear goals for himself and his dedication to get the most out of every practice inspired his teammates on the Liberty Football, Basketball, and Track Teams. Dawson was also diligent in the classroom, making the Dean’s List at Carroll College and earning multiple scholar-athlete awards while attending Liberty. He was proud to call himself a Nerd and felt lucky to have found a second home at Carroll. When he wasn’t studying or working out, he pursued his interests in photography, drawing, golfing, biking, hiking, magic tricks, and following his favorite sports teams. He never outgrew his delight in building with Legos, reading Harry Potter and watching Star Wars movies.
At the age of 14 he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Facing such a health challenge at an early age deepened his experience of life. He understood much at 21 that many who grow old do not: that how we see the world is a choice. Dawson marched forward through each day and chose to be positive, chose to be kind, chose to appreciate what he had and not to dwell on the rest. The seeds of his kindness have been planted and will continue to grow in the hearts of all who knew him.
Besides his parents and brother, Dawson leaves behind his paternal grandparents Bruce and Nancy Solly of Black Diamond WA, maternal grandparents Ken and Joan Fulton of Vashon Island WA, his sister-in-law-to-be Kathleen Mulligan, His Uncles and Aunts: Eric and Donna Solly, Themis and Stacey (Fulton) Kyriakides and cousins Nick and Nate Solly as well as Cleo and Maya Kyriakides. He also leaves behind Bettie Edwards, Richard and Ann Stemwell, and many members of the Carroll College and the Liberty High School Communities who taught him, coached him and befriended him.
Friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life service to be held Saturday, Feb. 20th at 11:00 am in The New Life Church at 15711 152nd Ave. SE in Renton, WA. Memorial Donations may be made to The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation JRDF (https://www2.jdrf.org/site/Donation2?idb=50472630&df_id=2374&mfc_pref=T&2374.donation=form1), Carroll College, 1601 North Benton Ave, Helena MT 59625 (noting Track & Field/Dawson Solly) in the memo line or visit https://www.advancement.carroll.edu/SSLPage.aspx?pid=197
Service Schedule
Memorial Service
7:00 p.m.
Monday February 15, 2016
Carroll Campus Center
199 Ralph Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Celebration of His Life
11:00 a.m.
Saturday February 20, 2016
New Life Church
15711 152nd Avenue
Renton, Washington
Share
Williams Family says
Condolences to the Solly family. May Jehovah the “God of Comfort” bring you comfort and peace at this difficult time (2 Corinthians 1:3 & 4). Your family are in our prayers.
Laurie Meyer says
Dawson Family,
I am the mother of Beaugh Meyer who first introduced me to Dawson as we were throwing Beaugh’s belongings out of the 3rd floor window at Trinity. Dawson was the ‘runner’ who delivered the overstuffed black garbage bags to my waiting trunk. What a great worker! Beaugh also is a Thrower and had the privledge of working with Dawson on the Carroll team. They were good friends. As a mother of a son, I express my sorrow for your loss and feel deeply about his passing. My husband spoke to Dawson a couple of weeks ago and they had a good visit. Our thoughts and especially our prayers are with each of you and our hope is for you to know of our love and concern as you journey through this sorrow. May Heavenly Father bless you with solace and comfort, knowing that Dawson is surely at peace and now fulfilling a brand new purpose with Family beside him.
Camille Wright says
Thoughts and prayers to the entire Solly family. Dawson was a wonderful young man and a great role model for my son Ian Wright, while at Liberty.
Reynold's Family says
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Dawson was a big party of Tim and Jessica’s life. He made life away from home earlier. Friends!!! He will always be in their thoughts and greatly missed.
Reynold's Family says
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Dawson was a big part of Tim and Jessica’s life. He made life away from home earlier. Friends!!! He will always be in their thoughts and greatly missed.
The Davis Family says
We were deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Dawson. He played baseball with our son Brandon when they were younger. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
D. Williams says
I did not know your precious son, but I read a tribute to him from a young man I like and respect. His words reveal a man who had already given much to make our world a better place. I am so very sorry for your crushing loss. May God sustain you through your grief.
Maher/Vensel family says
The Maher/Vensel Family:
Our family memories of Eve, Ian, Troy and Dawson playing basketball with Kirsten as coach seem like it was only yesterday. Kirsten you were such an encouraging and fun Coach/Mom that it is no surprise that my kids still love to play basketball. The loss of such a rare and special person may be tempered by the knowledge that you are so close and loving as a family. We are thinking about you all and hope that you are encouraged by the wonderful memories your family and the people Dawson spent time with are good and lasting.
Lisa (Catt) Marshall says
Hi Brad and Kirsten:
I didn’t know your son, but Brad, he sounds a lot like the kind and athletic kid you were in high school. My thoughts and prayers are that you will be at peace and always feel his love.
Bruce & Joanne Knott says
Dear Solly Family, our hearts go out to you as you are in our thoughts and prayers. Our son Kalan was a freshman teammate of Dawson. From day one Dawson welcomed Kalan on the team and became his mentor for hammer. Our boys had lunch together the day before he passed. Dawson will be truly missed but never forgotten.
Darcy Snyder Dickey and family says
Dearest Solly family,
We are saddened to the very bottom of our hearts to hear of the loss of Dawson. Our deepest condolences to the whole family. We will hold you in our thoughts and prayers.
Laura Ellis says
My friend Pam Sweet has asked me to pray for your family and has forwarded his obituary to me. What a special young man! I am deeply sorrowful for the loss you have experienced. May the wonderful memories of Dawson soon replace the tears of grieving and may the God of Comfort comfort you and yours.
In Jesus,
Laura Ellis
Alden NY
Darcie Hilton Dunlap says
Dear Solly family and friends,
I did not know Dawson, but my heart goes out to you for your loss. My son is new to the CC track team this year and had great respect for Dawson. He was a great mentor, leader, and friend. He misses him greatly, as does the whole Carroll Community. He has impacted so many lives that his spirit will live on forever in numerous people’s hearts. I pray that fond memories of Dawson carry you through your sorrow.
Margo Wilson says
Dear Kirsten, Brad & Troy,
I was Dawson’s assistant preschool teacher at Miss Bonni’s for 14 years. I remember Dawson as being a delightful little boy with a sweet face, a quiet boy who was very kind to his classmates. My heart breaks for you and my prayers are with your family. I will cherish the memories of Dawson, as I am sure you will. God Bless you.
Miss Margo (Wilson)
Kathy Calhoun (Wilsonart) says
Dear Kirsten,
Sending prayers to you and your family.
Tammy Weadock (Wilsonart) says
My words are not adequate to express the sorrow I feel for your loss. I imagine there is no pain more far-reaching and deeper than losing a child. My heart and prayers go out to you at this most difficult time.
Don & Sonjia Smethers says
Our thoughts and prayers will always be with the Solly family, Ken and Joan and the many friends like Bettie. It sounds like Dawson was one of the best and we are sure you will always have fond memories and know his love. Our love to you
Tim McInnis says
It was January of my junior year at Carroll when my roommate of 2.5 years and another close friend were killed in a car wreck just outside of Helena. I know the pain that Dawson’s roommates and friends (one of whom is my own daughter) at Carroll now feel. As a young man I witnessed, and as a parent now understand, the deep loss and sorrow that Dawson’s parents and family now must bear. For all of these I pray for peace, understanding, and the healing that only time will bring.
Sally Brady says
Brady (Jack, Drew, Sally & Vince) family remembers Dawson with so much fondness and love. We recall the wonderful years of basketball with Kirsten, and then baseball with Brad, and all the various incarnations f the “mud dogs!” You both are such patient and kind coaches! You gave so much joy, and Dawson was a delight and joy to be around. When Drew would get bored with watching his brother play baseball, and I would turn to see Troy keeping Drew entertained with playing catch behind the bleachers! Years of wonderful memories we will always cherish. You are in our hearts and prayers.
Susan Cohodes says
The Cohodes Payant Family is deeply saddened. Dawson was such a wonderful young man. He and Michael had so many good times in band and baseball and he was even patient enough to help Adele produce sound from a bassoon. Our heartfelt sympathy to the Solly Family. You are in our prayers.
Robert Lyman says
I knew Dawson through Grandfather Bruce , Bruce
Would demostrate love and joy talking about Dawson ,
These characteristics are from the heart, now I understand
the the bond that these two men brought each other.
I am saddened by this tragedy .
Our Lord will give strength to continue on,He will also
Comfort them during this time of mourning.
Dawson rests with our redeemer.
Robert
Donna Roach-Kilcup says
God Bless you all. I want the whole family to know that I feel your bottomless loss. Please tell Nan & Bruce as well. God Bless Dawson forever.
Donna Roach-Herrera-Kilcup
Lori and Gary Emerick says
Our deepest condolences to all of the Solly, Fulton, and Kyriakides family. We are so sorry for your loss. May you be filled with the beautiful memories of Dawson to carry you forward.
Xoxo
Lori and Gary
Christie Johnson says
Love and light and sweet memories. I still remember how sweet he was in 1st/2nd grade! So smart, quiet and wise even then! Hugs and prayers to you.
Rochelle Munger says
Sharon, Joshua and Rochelle Munger send their deepest condolences for the Solly family. Dawson was a wonderful person. We all love you and support you in your grief. XOXOX
Christiana (Baseler) Nelson says
Solly Family,
I am so very sorry for your loss. I babysat Dawson and still remember him to this day and how much I loved to watch him and Troy. He was always so cheerful and full of life. My thoughts and prayers are with you!
Karen Thies-former school nurse at LHS says
I am so sorry for your loss. Dawson was always in control and knew where he was going. He was a wonderful young man. Your family is in my thoughts & prayers.
Deborah Phillipson says
I am so shocked and sorry for the loss of your son, grandson, friend and a brilliant young man.
I have you in my prayers, and hold all of you in my heart. Praying for the Pain you feel now, will soon turn into great memories. I would hear such proud grandparents sharing the stories of Dawson as he grew up and became this wonderful young man. Your loss is unbearable and
unfair, Parent and,Grandparents should never have to go through such things as losing a child.
I love you all. think purple your friend Deb
The Kindred Family says
We send our heartfelt sympathy to your family for your loss of Dawson. Daily may God (Ps.147:3) give you the help needed. Dawson touched the lives of so many persons and will be sadly missed but never forgotten.
ryan Lawrence says
Dear Kirsten and Brad, had no idea you had a son or kids even lost touch so long ago. My sincere condolences to you and your parents and Stacey. Let Steve Winquist know, I can’t find him anymore since my mom lost his #, like to talk to him.
My condolences been a long time. Hopefully you are able to cope. Love Red Ryan
Ryan says
Very sorry Brad, Kirsten and family.
Ryan