On Monday, September 22nd, 2025, the first day of fall, our most cherished, George Soltes passed away suddenly at his home in Beckley. He was 72 years of age.
The youngest of three children, George Andrew Soltes was born on a Monday, December 12, 1952. He was the son of the late Joe Albert and Mary Catherine Withrow Soltes. In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by his sister, Margaret Bryner.
"Georgie" as he affectionately known grew up on Sixth Street here in Beckley. He was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, Class of 1970. The Soltes family worshiped at St. Francis De Sales Parrish where George has been faithful member all his life. George had a long career in the mining industry as a sales rep in mining supplies.
Two doors down on Sixth Street from the Soltes family lived the Baird family. Vicki Elizabeth Baird and George Andrew Soltes were literally childhood sweethearts. On August 4th, 1973, they tied the knot and George and Vickie would be married 44 years. To their union was born Cynthia Ann and Phillip Andrew.
George will be remembered for his loving care to Vicki during her long illness. An old Scottish hymn , Oh Love That Will Not Let Me Go, best summarizes the marriage of George and Vicki, " A love that is faithful, a love that endures through the worst of life's crisis, a love in which our weary souls can rest from stress." George was never quite the same after Vicki's passing on December 29th, 2017.
But he has tried, George was always pleasant and the love of family kept him going. He immensely enjoyed the role of "PaPa George" to his three grandsons, James, Thomas and Cooper.
Left to cherish his memory are his beloved children, Cindy Gibson and her husband, Justin of Milton and Phillip Soltes and his wife, Melanie of Lexington, South Carolina; the doting grandfather of James and Thomas Gibson and Cooper Soltes; the dear brother of Joseph Albert Soltes and his wife, Linda of Greenfield, Indiana; the fond uncle of Krista Cribbs and her husband, Bryan, Joey Soltes, Mary Kay Meek and her husband, Chris, Rodney Bryner and his wife, Cathy and Rick Bryner and his wife, Nancy; several great nieces and nephews as well. George was close to the Kirby family and Elizabeth Pomykata and her granddaughter, Isabel.
This Friday, September 26th, The Mass of Christian Burial will be offered for dear George at St. Francis de Sales Church. The mass will be celebrated at 11:00 am. The family will be receiving friends at 10:00 am. The Rite of Committal will follow in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery at Sunset Memorial Park where George will be laid to rest beside his beloved Vicki and now, "Oh Glad Reunion." The honor of carrying George has been given to James and Thomas Gibson, Rick and Rod Bryner, Joey Soltes and Chris Meek. Honorary pallbearers will be Cooper Soltes, John, Tom and Joe Voloski, Frank, Sandy and Jim Kirby.
Rest in Peace and May Perpetual Light Shine upon you dear Georgie until we all meet again.
Melton Mortuary and Cremation Center has the honor of serving the family during this difficult time. Expressions of sympathy and condolences may be shared with the family by visiting the tribute page.