For the past couple of years, Jerry and I had been working together on his book, Golden State Glory – My 50 Years of Covering California High School Athletics. Each month, we’d meet for lunch at Rainbow Oaks Restaurant in Fallbrook—a perfect halfway point between Corona and San Diego. We’d talk about the book, reflect, and shape his incredible legacy on paper.

While he was still working on the “About the Author” and the afterword, the heart of the book—the body of his life's work—is beautifully complete. I’d like to honor Jerry by sharing both the opening and closing spreads of his book. It’s a small glimpse into a giant of a career, and an even nicer man.

Rest easy, Jerry. You left a legacy worth telling. - Howard Shen

Thank you, Jeremiah Soifer, for the years of memories you’ve provided our community. Since 1980, you have been a part of my life, and have captured so many memories of local athletes and community members (including a few ‘action shots’ of me getting pummeled by a future state wrestling champion). You had a gift of storytelling through pictures and written words. Though you are no longer with us physically, you will always be with us through your pictures and articles… many of which I have in scrapbooks from the good ‘ol days. Below are some pictures of, and by ‘Scoop’. I’m so glad we had the opportunity to honor and thank Jerry and other advocates of youth sports when I was on the school board a few years ago. #ThanksfortheMemories 🙏🏻💙❤️🙏🏻

It's January 7th, 1981, I am walking towards the front of Norco High after soccer practice. The day before, first league game of the season, I had scored a goal, then stole the ball, passed to Alwyn Kelly who then scored himself, giving us a 3 - 1 lead. Talk about being hyped up....but we let Rubidoux tie us, the first of many ties that season....so leaving practice heading to the front for my ride home, walks this little guy, "Scoop" Soifer....he sees me, knows who I am, and says, "Did you see today's paper did you see today's paper?" I have been in school ALL DAY and then after school practice, so I tell Jerry, "Not yet" (I wrote for the Pony Express and delivered the Press Enterprise, but did not get the Daily Independent at home) Jerry added "I wrote about you, I wrote about you"...Ok thanks I will check it out....Bob Quezada of the Pony got the picture of my score, but sure enough, Jerry had written about my game and Coach Hughes kind words....soon from being on the field to sharing the sidelines with Jerry, a friendly competition of two photographers trying to get the best shot, back in the day with film, and the last 20 years in the world of digital....I have been blessed to be one of the group of people that either had lunch, or in my case, dinner with Jerry pretty much once a week. "Scoop" had an incredible memory to detail of games, players, behind the scenes knowledge that elated or irked him. You have those conversations with other friends where you solve the problems in the world, Thanks to Jerry and the Daily Independent back in the day, I was able to be on the field for five LA Rams football games at the Big A, and one in the press box. I shot the St.Louis Cardinals defeating the LA Raiders the year the silver and black beat the Redskins in the big game known as "Black Sunday",,,You got to figure that over an umpteen year period from 1979-80ish to the early 90's, before the Press Enterprise bought out the Daily and then closed it down....Scoop covered two to three local high school, Norco, Corona , and early on Cen10, four junior highs, Corona Little League and Girls softball at Butterfield Park, Norco Little League and Girls softball at Wayne Makin, AYSO soccer, horse events, people and pets on sidewalks, birds on wires, all sorts of local civic events. wrote copy, took pictures, did darkroom work, did page layout, 20 days a month minimum....he coached Norco girls JV basketball for game, he coached Corona High Girls JV softball for a season...even ran for school board a few years back. He worked for the Press Enterprise for a while, stringed with the LA Times and Fontana papers, but Scoop and me tag teamed our local sports for the Sentinel Weekly News of Corona the last 15 years. Thanks to Jerry I got to shoot a couple Charger games in San Diego before the moved up here, and I got to be his caddy for 3 Raider games in Vegas. Back in 1982, the Norco High Football team pitched in and got Jerry a Norco High Letterman's jacket with SCOOP emblazoned on the back...He wore that a lot....but, it took till 2024 for him to be enshrined in the Norco High School Hall of Fame....a richly deserved honor...as of late, he had wanted to go to Yellowstone the end of this month April, but wasn't feeling good and decided against it... I last had dinner with Jerry Sunday afternoon April 20th, took over to Lincoln park and "lunged" him...but after one lap (he normally could walk three) he was gassed. I got him to his apartment, we talked on Tuesday the 22nd on the phone. He did not return a text on Monday, and to my shock n dismay found out yesterday afternoon he had passed. So please indulge me if you will some pics of Jeramiah "Scoop" Soifer over 40 years....If you could do me a flavor, post here your favorite Scoop memory....Thank you... Gary

Jeremiah Soifer you will be missed on this earth my friend but your memory will forever be with us all via the hundreds of amazing photos and stories you’ve captured, written and shared within our community. You always made the athletes and your subjects of interest feel special with your gift/talent. You were often quite serious but I enjoyed getting that warm smile out of you. Thanks for the memories. - Kathleen Keep Ray

We here at Settlement House were saddened to learn of Jerry's passing. Jerry always supported us through his camera lens at our events. God's speed and thank you for your eye on life in our city. - Rita Wuelfing

Godspeed, Little Guy. You were such a fixture at so many games I was at. It's going to be weird not seeing you around. - Heston Quan

I've known Jerry "Scoop" Soifer my whole photographic career. He had a 20 year head start on me. We worked together many times and you could always tell us apart. My hats were a little nicer. But when it came to sports and action photography, he was THE BEST. The best I have ever seen. His ability to capture the over-the-top sports photo was truly amazing. When film was no longer the go to in photography, I learned more about what he did. We were both lost without film, but I was quicker at locating resources and happy to share. I felt honored that he came to me for information. I think we need to do something to make sure Corona remembers what he did for the kids in the sports community. Like a bronze plaque or something lasting. People like Jerry don't come along every day and I, along with our whole community, will miss him! - Jim Dorsey

This is my Ode to Jerry “Scoop” Soifer 💕RIP Jerry

Well I met Jerry when my girls were playing AYSO, he’d take pics of my girls and then they would appear in the news paper . When my youngest was the only freshman on Varsity at Corona High and he would be out taking pics of games. He would always give me some copies💕 Then he did a Mother’s Day article on us that was in the paper. Jerry asked my daughter if she wanted to help him at a Bears vs Raiders game ( she was living in Chicago) she did and that is the day she met her future husband at that game he was also helping some one on the field. They shared a cab and got married a few years later. Had 2 beautiful very athletic girls.💕

So Jerry Thank you for all the memories you gave my family thru the years. If it wasn’t for you my daughter would have never met her husband (he was from SoCal too) and I would not have gotten my greatest gift of all my Granddaughters💕

Corona has lost a good man. - Liane Thomas

Rest in Peace, Jerry. No one better Scoop! - Wes Speake