Clyde Soha

Clyde Soha was born July 8, 1920, in Ridgefield, WA, and passed away Jan. 25, 2021, in Hillsboro, OR. Clyde attended Baker Elementary School in Ridgefield, and Shumway Junior High School, and graduated from old Vancouver High School in 1939. Art and dance were the two creative passions that shaped his life. Clyde's talent for art became evident in high school with his creation of an animated film called The Bear Facts. After graduating from high school, Clyde decided that he wanted to become part of Walt Disney Productions and moved to Los Angeles. It was Clyde's second passion, dance, that by pure chance led him to the sign industry. One night at the Zanda Ballroom in Los Angeles, Clyde met a man named Gamp. It was no wonder that Clyde's own friendly, upbeat personality drew him to this colorful character who got his own start painting signs for the circus. Clyde became an apprentice to Gamp and thus began his own career as a sign painter. All went well for Clyde with his new trade until a truly dark day in history shifted not only his path but that of our entire country for years to come. In 1942, after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Clyde joined the Navy. Although he had the opportunity to remain in San Diego during the war and paint signs for the Navy, he felt compelled to fight for his country. Clyde's first Naval assignment was to the USS Thatcher (DD-514, 1943 - 1945) which soon launched for the South Pacific, heading straight for trouble. As a seaman first class, Clyde saw 10 major battles and landings in the South Pacific during his enlistment. He recalls surviving three typhoons with his shipmates. Clyde returned to Los Angeles to continue working towards his career in the sign industry. He met his future wife, Pauline Derr, in college, and they had 69 wonderful years together. By day, each would diligently work to learn their trade and, by night, Clyde would teach Pauline how to dance. On June 9, 1948, Clyde and Pauline were married. Shortly after, they moved to Vancouver, WA, for their new adventure together. In 1949, Clyde and Pauline built their shop in Vancouver and began building a legacy that many distinguished business owners of today remember well. Eventually Clyde and Pauline met Mike Starks at Vancouver Marshall Center where they danced regularly. Mike was working at the center when he saw the accomplished dancers and had to find out more about them. Little did any of them know that one day Mike would be the one to carry on the Soha Sign Company legacy Clyde and Pauline had worked so hard to build. Clyde and Pauline had one daughter, Carla Soha, and they enjoyed watching her grow up and attending numerous athletic events. As a family, they spent many evenings enjoying picnics, water skiing and floating on Lacamas Lake. Clyde enjoyed all types of dancing and was involved with many dance clubs. He and Pauline received numerous awards at dancing competitions. Clyde is survived by his daughter, Carla; great nieces, Genevieve and Chelsea and their mother, Andrea Hebert; cousins, George and Sandy Sweeting, David Sweeting and his family, Stacey Bibelheimer and her family; cousins, Debbie and Tom Thornley; cousin, Gary Derr and his family; cousins, Dena Derr, daughter, Michelle Smith, and granddaughter, Andrea Smith and Bobby Posey; and many other friends and family members. He was preceded in death by his wife, Pauline, and parents, John and Elizabeth Soha. Special thank you to the kind caregivers at The Hampton Memory Care Center in Salmon Creek. Also, special thanks to the amazing Kaiser hospice team of nurses, doctors and social workers in Hillsboro. Another special thank you to the Hudson's Bay family. Clyde will always be remembered for being such a kindhearted and wonderful man. He was a gentleman, always giving out compliments, and always made everyone feel special. I love you dad with all my heart and soul, Your daughter. Memorial donations may be made to Hudson's Bay Foundation at www.HudsonsBayFoundation.org, or PO Box 61804, Vancouver, WA 98666.

Clyde Soha

July 8, 1920 - January 25, 2021