Obituary of J. Kenneth Soderquist

Rev. J. Kenneth Soderquist, 96, of Jamestown, passed away at 10:05 am Tuesday, February 20, 2018, in the Lutheran Home and Rehabilitation Center. An area resident for most of his life, he was born February 8, 1922 in Buffalo, NY a son of the late John and Amanda C. Anderson Soderquist. Ken was a 1940 graduate of Jamestown High School and attended Alfred University Extension in Jamestown in 1941 and the Lutheran Bible Institute in Minn. MN from 1941-1942. Following the war he graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL in 1949 and Augustana Lutheran Seminary in 1953. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Force serving during World War II in the South Pacific from November 23, 1942 to January 4, 1946. During his tour of duty he received the American Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, the Distinguished Unit Badge, the Philippines Liberation Ribbon with a bronze star and the World War II Victory Medal. Before his retirement he was a minister for the Lutheran Church in America. He began his ministry serving the Augustana Lutheran Church in Tustin, MI and then served the Zion Lutheran Church in LeRoy, MI, Calvary Lutheran Church in Philadelphia, PA, the Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Port Allegany, PA, and for many years was the Pastor for the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Lakewood, NY, until his retirement. Following his retirement he was the Assistant Chaplain at Lutheran Social Services for several years. Rev. Soderquist also served as the Chaplain for the Chautauqua County Jail in Mayville, NY for 22 years. Surviving is a daughter, Cheryl Veal and her husband Gordon of Jackson, MI, a grandson; Daniel J. Pinter of Denver, CO, three step-grandchildren; Mitchell Veal and his wife Emily of Napoleon, MI, Richard Veal serving in the US Army, 101st Airborne, Alex Veal and his wife Erica of Colorado Springs, CO, and two great grandchildren; Ethan and Ashley Veal. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Dawne E. Stohl Soderquist whom he married March 17, 1951 and who died October 14, 2015. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am Monday, February 26, 2018, in First Lutheran Church. The Rev. Daniel K. Nagle, pastor will officiate. Inurnment will be in the Lake View Cemetery. Friends will be received for one hour prior to the service on Monday in the Fellowship Room of First Lutheran Church. Memorials may be made to the First Lutheran Church, 120 Chandler St. Jamestown, NY 14701 or to the Lutheran Foundation, 715 Falconer St. Jamestown, NY 14701. .