Joseph Michael Solano, Aged 63, of Mill City , Oregon died suddenly around 6PM at Santiam Hospital on February 14, 2020 . His wife Elisha and step daughter Keska were at his side as Joseph went home to be with Jesus.

Joseph was born in Amarillo , Texas to Raymond and Carmen "Emilia" Solano. Joseph was the first born of six children. He grew up in what Joseph liked to call the Barrio surrounded by lots of family. They moved around quite a bit but were never far from aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents.

Joseph had a soft heart and a strong work ethic as a youngster. He began caring for his younger siblings around the age of 5 while Mom & Dad had to work. He stood on a chair and learned to cook and clean with his Abuela Chana who instilled in Joseph his passion for food and for a clean kitchen. She also passed on the secret and most important ingredient to everything Joseph ever prepared or did - love.

Joseph was very resourceful and liked to pride himself on what he called "Mexican Ingenuity." Around the age of 10, he discovered the flaw in having only one bicycle for 6 kids. Joseph scoured alleyways, garbage cans, rubbish heaps - anywhere there was trash. It all went into the family garage. Out came one bicycle for each child in the family. Joseph's crowning achievement was his beloved stingray style bike - complete with a leopard skin banana seat, a six foot sissy bar, longhorn handlebars and an ooga horn.

Joseph began his working career as a cook in Amarillo but soon couldn't resist the call he'd felt all his life - the Pacific Northwest . He headed West around age 17 and literally ran straight through the trees right into the Pacific Ocean at Oswald West State Park . He discovered 3 things. First,  the Pacific Ocean is very cold! Second, Soap doesn't suds up in the ocean. Lastly, he was in the Northwest to stay - He was in love with the trees, the mountains and the water.

Joseph was a jack of many trades doing such things as pulling hides for Iowa beef, planting trees for the government and digging nursery plants. Joseph especially enjoyed the several years he spent at Briggs Nursery. He treasured the information he gleaned there and frequently passed on his passion for nature, especially trees and shrubs through the sharing of his knowledge. Later, Joseph moved to Juneau , Alaska where he accomplished his lifelong goal of building his own home. According to Joseph "it turned out pretty good for a greenhorn Alaskan AND a greenhorn builder." The tales of the trees that were sacrificed, the lumber that was milled, the chute that sent materials down the hillside, the greenhorn mistakes made not once but twice were retold by Joseph with lots of hearty laughter.

Joseph also had his own indoor and outdoor grounds maintenance businesses in Oregon and Washington . After 2 unsuccessful marriages, Joseph met the love of his life, Elisha Stark in 2008 at a job site. It was Joseph's joke to say that Elisha was the best thing he picked up at the dumpster. Really he was just waiting for her to take out her trash. They married Dec 2, 2011 in a small ceremony at Silver Creek Fellowship followed by a good old shindig in July of 2012 where Joseph and friend Jeff put on a feast! Joseph, Elisha, Keska and Caylan (at one point) headed to Alaska . Joseph began cooking again. One of Joseph's  favorite positions was Executive Chef for Timberline Bar & Grill Atop Mt Roberts in Juneau . At first the 3,819 foot climb in a tram car up the side of a mountain with groceries for 1000's in all kinds of Alaska weather seemed daunting. Joseph, however, came to savor each trip up and down the mountain as a gift from God - a glimpse into His Majesty through the foliage, the wildlife or the wildness of the weather even if he was surrounded by dozens of cases of frozen french fries and fresh fish. Joseph could see the humor in everything. Joseph's sister Kathy of Texas said this of her brother - Joseph was a Big Brother with a great sense of humor that barely surpassed the "slapstick comedy" of Laurel & Hardy, Jerry Lewis, Charlie Chaplin, The 3 Stooges, Abbott & Costello etc…. He was loyal to his faith, gracious to mother earth and had a love of all animals."

Joseph's life focus was  love - of all living things but number one was his love of Jesus. He wanted everyone to know about the Lord and that the Lord loved them. Joseph collected bibles so he could pass them out to anyone he thought may want one. He also had a heart for the homeless experiencing homelessness himself and gave away food and clothing regularly out of his car. There are currently restaurant food donation programs in place delivering large quantities of food weekly to soup kitchens and shelters that began out of  Joseph's servant heart and desire to not waste where there is hunger and need. Joseph spent time back in Oregon close to family and friends and every moment possible with his soul mate and wife Elisha. This last year in particular was filled with many beach trips, camping with Luna adventures, long drives, long talks, reminiscing and laughing, the dreaming of dreams, lots of sunsets, WAY too many mocha frappes and many, many more tender moments than can possibly be counted thanks to our Precious Lord and Savior.

Joseph is preceded in death by his father, Raymond Solano, mother, Carmen "Emilia" Solano, and a brother, Raymond Solano Jr. He is Survived by his wife, Elisha Solano, Stepchildren, Caylan (Cassie) Stark and Keska Hettwer, his sisters, Maria Solano, Barbara Solano, Kathy Mezger and Gloria Solano. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 29, 2020 at 2pm at Silver Creek Fellowship Silverton.