Obituary of Anthony Lewis Soares

Anthony Lewis Soares “Brud” was born in Gridley, CA on June 12, 1936 and was a lifelong resident of the community. He passed away on July 6, 2024 at the age of 88. Brud is preceded in death by his sister Antoinette Soares and brother Daniel Lee Soares. He was the youngest of three children belonging to Antone Davis Soares and Illa Fern Lewis Soares. He is survived by his wife, Martha Elizabeth Segur Soares. They would have celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary on August 23, 2024. Brud also leaves behind a daughter, Kathleen Elizabeth Kerstan, and two sons: Jerd Andrew Soares and Jason Antone Soares with his wife Cynthia. He has five grandchildren: Antoinette Rosalyn Fox, Elliott Antone, Brud Andrew, Karl Benjamin, Olivia Abigail and Luke Andrew along with three great grandchildren: Maxell Anthony, Roselyn Claire, and Elizabeth Belle Joses.

As a small child Brud began his sports career as the batboy for the town baseball team, the Gridley Pelicans. Later he participated in the American Legion baseball team and Oroville Olives. At eight, Brud and his best friend, Don Brophy started their own lawn mowing business so they could afford going to the movie house for entertainment and updates on WWII.

Through high school Brud received many athletic awards in basketball, baseball, and football and was team captain and Most Valuable Player (MVP) in football. In his senior year was assigned the defensive line coach for Gridley HS football team and was selected for the All Northstate team. Brud was also one of the athletic student leaders who founded the Gridley Invitational Basketball Tournament (GIBT) in 1954.

Upon graduation from Gridley High School he attended Yuba College to earn his A.A.. He continued to play baseball and football where he was a two time All-Conference and later inducted into the Yuba College Hall of Fame. He transferred to CSU, Chico where he graduated with a B.S. in physical education and biological science in 1958. During his tenure at CSUC he coached freshman football, played two years of football where he was team captain, was nominated All-Conference, and voted Most Inspirational. Later he was inducted into the CSUC football “Team of the Century''. On top of this he also lettered in basketball, baseball, and boxing.

Brud moved back to Gridley and took over his father’s business, New Look Dry Cleaners, which later evolved into Continental Athletic Supply in 1966. Under Brud’s leadership, Continental Athletic Supply was a charter member of the National Athletic Equipment Reconditioners Association (NAERA), beginning in 1974, and Brud served as president for two terms. He also served several years as a representative on the National Operating Committee on Standards of Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE), the organization that sets the standards for athletic equipment.

Brud served as a Gridley City Councilman and president of the Chamber of Commerce. He was part of a group of Gridley citizens who started the Gridley “Go-Fish” swim team which later evolved into the Gridley Gators. He was also a founding member of the Gridley Pop Warner which later evolved into Gridley Youth Football. He served on the alumni boards for both Yuba College and CSU, Chico along with the Old Timers Scholarship Foundation for many years.

Brud was a man of compassion, great kindness, and loyalty. He had a wonderful sense of humor and could deliver a joke with magnificent ease.  You could find him on the dance floor at most events, cutting a rug with the best of them. As his son’s grew up he coached them in both baseball and football..Upon his semi-retirement from Continental Athletic Supply, Brud cherished his time with his grand-children. His hobbies included golfing and fly fishing. He had many amazing adventures fly fishing with friends throughout North America.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Gridley Education Foundation, mail to the Gridley Unified School District, 429 Magnolia Street, Gridley, CA, 95948.

There was a graveside service for the family. There will be a celebration of life held at a later date, please watch media outlets for details to join us in celebrating and remembering Brud’s life with his family and friends.

Arrangements entrusted to Gridley-Block Funeral Chapel.