Anthony Jay Solow

Our family is saddened to announce the passing of Anthony Jay Solow at his home on September 21, 2023. Known to his family, friends, and business associates as "Tony", he passed at age 84. Tony was born on March 28, 1939, in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Jennie Zelda Stekoll and Maurice Norman Solow. After graduating from Tulsa East Central High School in 1957, he attended Colorado University, at Boulder, on a bull-riding and other scholarships. He went on to serve in the Navy as a radioman on the USS Rochester and the USS Ranger. During his time in the Navy, he traveled all over the world and was stationed in Guam as an intelligence officer. He was briefly married to Rose Lee Ikler in 1961. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1963. He was extremely proud of his service in the Navy and stayed involved with the USS Ranger Association, where he made life-long friends. After his Navy discharge, he studied Animal Sciences at The University of Wisconsin, and worked as a paralegal. His education continued at Oklahoma State University where he received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Journalism. He returned to Tulsa to take care of his ailing parents and his father's ranching and glass businesses. He enjoyed working in the cattle business and working with animals. He worked at the Tulsa Tribune as an investigative journalist, where he wrote many notable stories such as the story about "Sailor X", which was nationally syndicated. He also did much of his own artwork and photographs for his stories. After the passing of both of his parents, he took over the management of Solow Glass Company, where he built many relationships and became involved with many organizations in the downtown community. His artwork and creativity continued in the glass designs of many downtown buildings, such as the art sculpture in the lobby of the Performing Arts Center in downtown Tulsa. Solow Glass Company became a pillar of the downtown community prior to closing its doors in 2003. In 1982, he married Jana Jae at his home in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was a caring father to Jana's children, Matt and Sydni, always nurturing their interests. He dearly loved his grandchildren, Sandra and Robyn Coleman of Tulsa, Oklahoma and Jacob and Sophie Greif of Redondo Beach, California. He lived near Sandra and Robyn, and loved attending all of their recitals, games, school events and mock trial competitions. He even started taking Taekwondo classes with Robyn in his 70's and became a brown belt. He also stayed very close to Jacob and Sophie Greif, although they lived in far away California. He took several trips to visit them and their family and followed their interests in sports and music very closely. He was an avid baseball fan and helped many baseball players by sponsoring American legion teams. He was a lifelong Tulsa Drillers fan and attended games at the old stadium and new. When he could not attend, he always listened on the radio. Tony is survived by his brother, Michael, and his partner Melanie, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida; his sister-in-law, Barbara Solow and niece, Rachel Solow; nephew, Robert Solow, his wife, Stephanie and his two children, Emma and Charlie from Atlanta, Georgia; his Aunt Cecille Solow Silverman from Kansas City, Missouri; his cousins, Edie and Elaine Solow of New York City, New York; Julie Solow of Oklahoma City; Stephanie McCullough and her husband, John, of Tulsa; David Stekoll of Austin, Texas, and Victor Stekoll of Rockville, Maryland; Leslie Axelrod of Dallas, Texas; Reva Gallaway of Albuquerque, New Mexico; David Engleman of Flagstaff, Arizona; Rita Wyler of San Diego, California; and Joseph Engelman of San Francisco, California. He is survived by his adopted Quapaw tribe members, the Supernaw family of Skiatook, Oklahoma and his adopted Quapaw brother and sister, Risa Proctor and Kugee Supernaw. He is survived by his step-son, Matt Greif of Redondo Beach, California and his wife, Sharon and children, Jacob and Sophie; his step-daughter, Sydni Coleman of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and her husband, Kelly Coleman and children, Sandra and Robyn. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jennie and Maurice Solow and by Ronald Solow, his older brother and hero. The family would like to thank Monta Ewing and her family for her help and loving care. We would also like to thank Steve Buford and Rodney Linsenmeyer for their support during this difficult time. Any gift in memory of Tony can be made to a charity of choice. A Celebration of Tony's life will be Saturday, October 14th, from 2 PM until 4 PM, at Nelson's Buffeteria, 4401 S Memorial Drive, Tulsa. Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel, 918-585-1151

Anthony Jay Solow

March 28, 1939 - September 21, 2023