Richard Silver

Richard (Dick) Silver was born November 8, 1941, in Cass City, MI to the late George Clifford and Reva Marie Silver. Dick was the oldest of three children. At the age of 11, Dick lived part-time with dairy farmers, milking their cows before and after school, plowing, planting, and harvesting their fields. Dick had a work ethic instilled in him that he carried all his life.

After graduating from Ubly High School, in 1960, Dick joined the US Navy to see the world and his first duty station was with the NWEF at Kirkland AFB, Albuquerque, NM.  Dick served on the USS Independence aircraft carrier with the VAH-1 Heavy Attack Squadron.  He left for sea the day before his first son, Dee, was born and returned the day Dee turned seven months old.

In January of 1962, at Crestview Baptist Church, Dick married the former Mary Eleanor Barnhill, the daughter of J.C. (Jack) Barnhill and Eleanor Ray Barnhill. There were five children born to this union.

After receiving his Honorable Discharge from the Navy in 1964, Dick and Mary returned to Albuquerque where both began working at Barnhill Bolt Company.  In 2010, Dick and and Mary became the sole owners of Barnhill Bolt.  Barnhill Bolt is now operating in the third generation, with son Dee and daughter Jo Ella and Dee's wife Stephanie and the fourth generation will begin work with the Company in July 2024.   

Dick asked Jesus into his heart in April of 1962 at the age of 20. He later served as SS Supt, Chairman of Building Committee of Monterey Baptist Church, Deacon, and Monterey bus driver. Wherever there was a need.

Dick was always active in all his children’s church or sports activities, whether as a Cub Scout Master, little league baseball coach, or basketball coach.  As a spectator, he never missed a game in which one of his kids was playing.

Dick loved to travel, whether in his motor home or by cruising the seas, and had visited all the states in the United States and over 70 foreign countries. He was happiest when home in his backyard where he gardened and putted around and especially when all his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were there with him.  He was a longtime fan of the Atlanta Braves and always kept up with the team during seasons good and not so good.

Dick was preceded in death by his twin girls, Mary and Martha, his parents, parents-in-law, and younger brother Larry. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Mary; his sister, Barbara Danby of Tucson, AZ;  his children, Richard Dee Silver and wife, Stephanie of Albuquerque; James Perry Silver, PhD, and his wife, Karla of Norman, OK; and his precious daughter and caretaker, Jo Ella Silver; grandchildren, Jessie Spain, Jacquelyn Wehner, Clint Silver, Kala Silver, Sam Silver, Lucas Silver, and J.C. Silver; great-grandchildren, Adrian Silver, Gabriella Silver, James Spain, Wyatt Wehner, Everleigh Silver, Shepard, Silver and another Wehner and another Silver on the way; several cousins and nieces; and his four legged companions, Charlie and Pepper.

A celebration of Dick’s life will start on April 18, 2024, at 10:30 a.m., at FRENCH - University and interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. Pallbearers serving for Dick will be Clint Silver, Sam Silver, Lucas Silver, J.C. Silver, Alex Wehner, and Donnie Maes.  

An open reception will follow at approximately 1:00 p.m. at El Pinto Mexican Restaurant, 10500 Fourth St. NW, Albuquerque, NM.