Alton Leroy Solberg

Some people leave behind accomplishments. Others leave behind a legacy. Dad left both, but it is his legacy of unwavering faith, quiet strength, and unconditional love that will live on for generations.

Born September 9, 1944 to Johnny and Ada Irene Solberg in Fort Worth, Texas, Dad grew up in River Oaks, where he spent his childhood playing baseball, singing in the choir, and making memories on his grandparents' farm. Those early years produced no shortage of stories—paper route adventures, farm mishaps, and enough mischievous moments to keep everyone laughing for years. While our family loved telling stories about him, the man he became was defined by something much quieter. Dad possessed a gentle spirit that cannot easily be explained. He never sought attention, yet people were naturally drawn to him because of his kindness, humility, and steady presence.

His incredible work ethic began at an early age with a neighborhood paper route, where he was responsible not only for delivering the papers but also for collecting payments. Responsibility came naturally to him, and it was a characteristic that stayed with him throughout his life.

At eighteen years old, he proudly enlisted in the United States Army during one of the most uncertain times in our nation's history. Although he was never deployed to Vietnam, he faithfully served in Germany, where he worked on missile systems throughout his enlistment.

After returning home, Dad worked nights maintaining the newly designed Airtrans system at DFW Airport while attending The University of Texas at Arlington. Never one to let obstacles stand in his way, he even earned his pilot's license so be could fly to The University of Texas at Austin to complete Organic Chemistry—a class known then, as it is now, for challenging even the best students. He graduated from UTA with degrees in Chemistry and Mathematics while working full-time and raising a toddler. Looking back, it's hard to imagine how he managed to do it all, but somehow he always did.

He briefly considered becoming a teacher, but after completing his student teaching in a particularly difficult summer school program, he realized the classroom wasn't where he was meant to be. Instead, he began a successful career as a chemist with Baxter and later Johnson & Johnson. His entrepreneurial spirit and fascination with emerging technology eventually led him into the computer field, where he thrived in technical roles. Even after retiring from Johnson & Johnson, his own business continued to flourish because Dad never really believed in slowing down.

But if you asked Dad what mattered most, his answer would never have been his career.

His greatest loves were Jesus and his family.

His faith was the foundation upon which he built his entire life. He never missed an opportunity to tell someone about the hope he had in Christ or where he knew he was headed one day. His greatest desire wasn't simply that people knew him—it was that they knew his Savior.

His love for Jesus overflowed into a lifetime of serving others. He traveled on countless mission trips, helping build churches in Mexico and serving on medical mission teams in Guatemala, where he proudly—and with a smile—called himself "the pharmacist." Whether he was serving across the border or across town, he was always looking for someone to love. He faithfully volunteered at Mission Arlington, Arlington Charities, and the Arlington Pregnancy Center, quietly meeting needs and serving others without ever seeking recognition.

His church family was equally important to him. For many years, he faithfully taught Sunday School and later served as both teacher and director of his class. He loved studying God's Word, but even more, he loved helping others grow in their faith. Dad loved people well. He listened carefully, encouraged freely, laughed often, and made everyone around him feel seen and valued.

But nowhere was his love more evident than within his own family.

Growing up, I never wondered whether Dad would be there. Every recital, every game, every performance, every milestone—I could always find him in the crows. His presence was one of the greatest gifts he ever gave me. He taught me that love is spelled T-I-M-E, and he gave it generously.

When his granddaughters came along, they quickly became the delight of his life. Together with their beloved Nanny, he created the "Nanny-Grandpa Club," a tradition that became one of the greatest treasures of their childhood. Every summer brought another unforgettable adventure—riding horses through the mountains, flying in helicopters, magical trips to Disney, cruises together, and even spending the night at a wildlife sanctuary surrounded by exotic animals.

But those trips were always about more than adventure.

Grandpa made sure his girls memorized Scripture, learned to love God's Word, and understood what it meant to follow Jesus. He knew the greatest inheritance he could leave them wasn't money, success, or possession. It was a legacy of faith.

Today, that legacy lives on in his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Dad was brilliant without being boastful, funny without trying, hardworking without complaint, generous without seeking recognition, and kind in ways that cannot adequately be described. He loved deeply, laughed wholeheartedly, served faithfully, and pointed people to Jesus simply by the way he lived his life.

Our hearts ache with an emptiness that words cannot express, yet they also rejoice with a hope that cannot be shaken. Just twenty-five days after saying goodbye to the love of his life, Rita, Dad is now exactly where he longed to be—in the arms of the Savior, hearing the words, "Well done," and worshiping Jesus alongside the bride he loved for nearly sixty years. We cannot help but smile as we imagine their joyful reunion.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Johnny and Irene Solberg; his sister, Cynthia Cross; his son, Philip Solberg; and his beloved wife of nearly sixty years, Rita Ruth Solberg.

He is survived by his devoted daughter, Alyson Solberg Zabriskie, and her husband, Jeff; his cherished granddaughters, ALyssa Irene Zabriskie, Alayna Zabriskie Boe and her husband, Ethan, and Ashlea Irene Zabriskie; his precious great-granddaughters, Elizabeth Ruth Boe and Caroline Faith Boe; his brother-in-law, Ben Preston and his wife Carolyn, their children Cristi and Ben; along with countless treasured friends, beloved neighbors, church family, and a wonderful group of Alyson's dear friends whom he loved as if they were his own children.

Dad's life was never about making a name for himself. It was about faithfully showing up—for his Savior, for his wife, for his family, and for anyone the Lord placed in his path. He taught us that hard work matters, character matters, people matter, and above all, Jesus matters.

His greatest accomplishment was not the degrees he earned, the businesses he built, or the career he enjoyed. His greatest accomplishment is the legacy he leaves behind—a family who knows they were deeply loved, generations rooted in faith because he planted those seeds, and the confidence that because of Jesus Christ, this goodbye is not forever.

Dad, thank you for showing us what a life well lived truly looks like. Thank you for teaching us to love Jesus, to love people, and to show up for the ones we love. We will miss your stories, your quiet wisdom, your gentle spirit, and your faithful example more than words can say. We will carry your legacy forward until the day we see you again.

Until then, we rejoice knowing you are home.

A visitation will be held at Laurel Land Funeral Home, 7100 Crowley Road, Fort Worth, Texas 76134, on August 14, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

A funeral service will take place at Laurel Land Main Chapel, 7100 Crowley Rd, Fort Worth, Texas 76134, on August 15, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, followed by a committal service at Laurel Land Memorial Park at the same address, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.