Ricky Eugene Silvis

Ricky Eugene Silvis, 68 who lived in Farragut, passed away May 1, 2023, from heart failure. Born 10/2/1954 in Oak Ridge TN, Rick attended Oliver Springs High School until graduating and joining the U.S Air Force in 1971. His parents (deceased) were Howard Eugene Silvis, of Tennessee and Margie Patterson, of Georgia. He is survived by his wife, Sheila, who he married in 1998 while residing in Florida. He is also survived by his sister, Carla McGhee; and two sons, Christopher and Kevin Silvis, their wives, Julie and Jill; five grandchildren.

Mr. Silvis completed his baccalaureate degree in criminology from the University of Samford after serving 20 years in the US Air Force from 1971-1992. He was an air crew member aboard AC-130 gunships for the last nine years of his service. He received numerous military and citations while serving in every conflict from the Vietnam War to the Persian Gulf War. Those include, but not limited to; Air Medal with 3 devices, AF Commendation Medal with 5 devices, AF Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, AF Outstanding Unit Award with Valor with 8 devices, Combat Readiness Medal, AF Good Conduct Medal with 4 devices, National Defense Service Medal with 1 device, Southwest Asia Service Medal with 2 devices, Humanitarian Service Medal, AF Longevity Service Award with 3 devices, NCO Professional Military Education Graduate Award with 1 device, Small Arms Expert Award with 1 device, AF Training Ribbon, and Kuwait Liberation Medal. After Mr. Silvis retired from the Air Force, he went into civilian law enforcement where he served in numerous aviation units across the country assisting with training departments and operational use of F.L.I.R. equipment. He transitioned from civilian law enforcement into the security field where he worked with departments in multiple states as a director or in some other capacity. In the late 1990s, after marrying Sheila, moved to Birmingham, AL, where they lived until the late 2000s. Mr. Silvis and his wife later moved to the Knoxville area working for Knoxville Zoo and then retiring from the Social Security Administration. Some of his hobbies were skeet and target shooting with his sons and playing with his grandkids and tinkering with small engines. Mr. Silvis was a generous man who would give the shirt off his back if he thought someone needed it. His generosity was exemplified when he single handedly started and funded a community football program while residing in Florida. Mr. Silvis made it his mission to ensure that those in need of mentorship and guidance received it.

Visitation will be May 11th at Berry Funeral Home (3704 Chapman Hwy, Knoxville, TN 37920) from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Services will be May 12th at 8:30 am at East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery (2200 East Governor John Sevier Hwy, Knoxville, TN 37920). For those that can't attend the visitation and/or services both will be live streamed on Berry Funeral Home's Facebook page. Full military honor funeral services will be provided by the US Air Force Honor Guard and officiated by Reverend Tim McGhee of Powell, Tennessee. For those that wish to attend Friday's services please meet at the rotunda before 8:30 am.