Efraim Soto's Obituary
Efraim Soto was born in Claremont, CA on July 12, 1924, to Emeterio and Mercedes Soto. The middle of thirteen children, Efraim had six older and six younger siblings. His father was a Spanish speaking pastor who planted churches all across Southern California and each of his siblings was born in a different city. He would tell us stories of fruit picking and tree trimming with his dad and brothers to earn extra money. The family finally settled in Redlands when Eph was 12 years old.
While attending high school Eph was invited to join the choir at the First Presbyterian Church in Redlands by his school choir director. He soon became a professional soloist singing at all types of occasions in and around Redlands. He graduated from Redlands High School in 1943 and then attended Valley College in San Bernardino while working full time at Norton Air Force Base as an Aircraft Mechanic, he graduated in 1950. He joined the California National Guard toward the end of WWII and was called to active duty for service in the Korean War. He was the officers' Mess Steward and this sparked a life long love of cooking. At the beginning of the war, he and three friends formed a Barbershop Quartet and won an USO competition to entertain the troops. He subsequently spent the rest of the war doing just that in Japan. He was fond of telling us that he never smoke or drank and that he would sell his cigarette rations and do sewing and mending for other service men to earn extra money which he sent home to grandma. He used the money on his return to purchase their first car.
After he returned home he married the love of his life Joan Edes. As he was Mexican and grandma wasn't, their union wasn't very popular so they decided to elope to Las Vegas and were married at the Little White Chapel on May 27, 1952 with his younger brother Chechi and his sister in law Annie as their witnesses. His daughter Kathy was born in 1954 and then in 1960 his son Kevin came along. The family continued to live in Redlands until Grandma and Grandpa moved to Sunlakes in 1993. Grandpa loved dogs and they always had a family pet. Grandma and Grandpa enjoyed camping and spent many years tent camping with family and friends until they finally purchased a trailer in 1981 and then moved up to an RV in '88. He and grandma traveled to 49 of the 50 states. Later in life they loved to take cruises. They traveled all over Europe, Alaska, Mexico, the Caribbean, and even through the Panama Canal. As we mentioned he loved to cook and his tamale parties were legendary and a tradition that his son's family continues to this day. His salsa was amazing and enjoyed by everyone.
Not long after he returned from Korea, he was invited to audition for the Roger Wagner Coral; a prominent all male choral group during the 50's and 60's in Los Angeles; he auditioned and was accepted. He would take the bus each week into Los Angeles to sing with them and performed with them many times at The Hollywood Bowl.
He continued to work at Norton Air Force Base after the war and after twenty years of civil service, he went back to school at The University of Redlands. He graduated in 1965 with a BA in Education and a Minor in Music and History. He then began his second career as an Elementary School Teacher in Redlands. He worked for many years at Lugonia and Mission Elementary. He directed the choirs at both schools and was very active in the PTA who gave him several awards for his contributions. During his school career Eph formed and directed the Redlands Unified School District, Elementary School Chorus which performed annually at the University of Redlands. He loved to teach and was well respected by his peers and students alike. He retired from teaching after twenty years.
He and Joan were long time members of the First Presbyterian Church in Redlands and during those years Eph was a church Deacon, an Elder, and a member of the choir. He also directed the youth choirs and taught Sunday School. They became members at The Fellowship of the Pass in Beaumont, ten years ago.
Eph followed Joan into the hobby of Barbershop Singing which became a life long passion for over 40 years. Until his passing he was a member of The Barbershop Harmony Society (SPEBSQSA). He was a member of the Riverside Citrus Belters, The Redlands Chorus and the
Inland Cities Chorus, and he often sang often at the Redlands Bowl. Over his forty year membership grandpa sang in many quartets, but his favorite was the Citrus Music Company which is the large black and white photo here today. He and grandma traveled all over the United State and Canada attending barbershop competitions. He even founded The Sun Lakes Barbershop Chorus in 1993 which he still directed up until earlier this year.
When they moved to Sun Lakes grandpa took up the hobby of painting, he had a natural aptitude and took many lessons to sharpen his skills. His home has many of his painting on the walls and you can see some of his work here today.
Eph was very proud of his own family and he loved to attend family reunions. The Soto reunions, for his brothers and sisters and their descendants has about 120 people in attendance with five generations. The Villaponda reunions are for his mother and her three sisters descendants which have over 300 people in attendance. These annual events were a great joy to him and we know he will be missed next year.
Grandpa was preceded in death by his siblings Lydia, Olga, Neftali, Joel, Ishmial, Eliab. He is survived by Joan, his wife of 61 years, his daughter Kathy, his son in law Michael, his son Kevin Sr., his daughter in law, Catherine, his three grandchildren, Amanda, Kevin Jr. and Matthew, his brothers Nathaniel, Manasas, Eliazar, and his sisters Orpha, Alma and Prescilla and many, many nieces and nephews.
He will be loved and missed always.
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