Brian Sole

Sometimes our world is incapable of giving us the simple joys we need to keep us going. At 66 Brian Frederick Sole had hit too many walls and his sensitive soul was too bruised. He was born in Kansas City at St. Mary’s Hospital on January 22, 1954. Brian loved connecting to people as did his parents Don (Donald Frederick Sole) and Lou (Lorraine Hellige Sole) and people were equally drawn to him. His charisma and charm provided him with many opportunities for a lifetime of experiences. Dad was transferred often with Ford Motor Company, so Brian had to start over in 5 different schools. He became an Eagle Scout when we lived in Olathe and summer camp was the beginning of his love for the outdoors. He enjoyed climbing trees which evolved into a career of trimming trees. In 1969 we moved into a house which backed up to the old Saddle & Sirloin Horse Club in Leawood (now Mission Farms). Brian would hop the 6’ chain link fence every day after high school (Shawnee Mission South) and worked in the barns and exercised the member’s horses. The skills he learned here gave him the expertise to work as a Knight in the Medieval Times Dinner Tournament in Kissimmee, FL. He also took flying lessons during this time which led to a career in Wichita building Lear Jets. His job was to rivet the panels of the plane from the back to the front in very tight quarters. He would quip that it was an unfortunate circumstance when the workers would return from their lunch of tacos and beans! He moved to Aspen in 1992 and was on construction crews of mega houses of the rich and famous. This job took its toll because of a dislocated femur in 8th grade football, multiple bone fractures from tree climbing injuries and a devastating motorcycle accident when a car hit him on his Moto Guzzi. Happily, he was able to get a job at Aspen Base Operations Airport on the private side unloading the planes, parking them and taking care of the travelers. He entertained us with many stories of those who were kind to him (Kurt & Goldie) and those who were not… Brian rode through the center of town, gave rides to requesting children and went into bars with his first horse Laurie to the delight of many, but the sheriff was not so pleased. On his second horse Hank, Brian became a regular sight in town and graced many covers of The Aspen Times. With his flowing hair, Magnum PI mustache and approachable demeanor, people were drawn to him. He was a true character! At his favorite watering hole, he sat next to Kevin Costner and recounted his sadness of the horse Cisco tragically falling in Dances With Wolves. Kevin had to comfort Brian and remind him that it was only a movie! Joy in its purist form was present when he spent time with his nieces and nephews Dani Tabor, Miles, Aubrey and Gardner Grantham and his Great-nephews Grant, Ben and Beck Tabor. His Great-niece Poppy Grantham sadly never met him.  As his salt & pepper hair turned to white his aches and pains increased. His physical and mental state became too much for him and his free spirit fianlly found peace on November 14, 2020. Brian leaves behind his dear friend Peggy McCafferty Oxford in Aspen, CO, his three siblings Craig Sole (Wayne Long) Overland Park, KS, Eric Sole (Tanta Soubriet) Barcelona, Spain and Kim Grantham, Prairie Village, KS. He also leaves behind his former wife Suzanne Padgett (Panama City, FL). His family plans to have a small memorial at the cemetery of his parents in Kansas City. Because of Covid-19 a funeral Mass in Kansas City will be held in the future.