Roy R Silver

7/12/1926- 3/25/2015

Loud gasps of consternation were audible from Mamie Richards Silver when her husband, Clarence Watson Silver, stood before their Sugarhouse, LDS Congregation and blessed their infant son, born July 12, 1926, with the name Roy Richards Silver. Roy had not been the name that Mamie thought they had agreed upon. For weeks following the blessing, Mamie cried, she was terribly disappointed that her beautiful boy – whom she nicknamed 'Boots' – was a Roy and not a Leslie.

Roy spent his early years in the company of his Silver siblings, Clarence “Bud”, Marjorie (Smith), Lynn, Mary Yvonne “Bonnie” (Haymond), and Larry. He loved his brothers and sisters, and his best friend was his brother, Lynn. As children, they enjoyed many adventures together both in Salt Lake and at the family's cabin up Parley's Canyon at Mount Air. One time, they designed and built an entire miniature city in the family's garage.

Clearly, even from a young age, Roy loved designing and building. Upon his graduation from South High School in 1943, he began his studies at the University of Utah in Architecture. He worked at the “Rainbow Rendezvous” to help put himself through college. There, he learned to love Big Band music and dancing, two things he would love throughout his life.

However, the days of fun and dancing would rapidly come to a close as Roy's draft date approached. Roy joined the Army and served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. Once in the Philippines, his love of design and building would serve him well. While working as a janitor in General McArthur's headquarters in Manila, Roy asked the draftsmen if he could use their scraps after hours in order to practice some of the skills he had learned at the U. Soon, the director noticed his abilities and put in a request to have him transferred to his department. It was there, far from the tragedies of combat, Roy spent the rest of the war.

Following the fighting, Roy was sent to Japan to help with American Reconstruction efforts. He was there until his discharge. Years later, while visiting San Francisco, he fondly remembered returning to the US, and being able to hear KSL radio from the ship as they entered the Bay underneath the Golden Gate bridge.

While in the army, Roy had always met with groups of LDS servicemen. Some of them had been returned missionaries and they had a huge impact on him and his developing testimony. So, while LDS veterans were considered exempt from missionary service, Roy truly desired to serve. He was called to the East Central States Mission.

Roy loved his mission and it was a formative experience for the rest of his life. He spent the first part of his mission as a proselyting missionary in West Virginia-- Mann, Big Ugly, Logan and Beckley. He was transferred to Tennessee where he served in Spencer, Wynn and LaFollette. Finally he served as Supervising Elder in Morgantown, Kentucky. On his mission he was asked to once again use his design and building skills in order to build chapels in the cities of Wynn, Tennessee: Morgantown and Winchester Kentucky. More than a half a century after his mission, many whose lives Roy had touched would still visit and thank him for bringing the gospel to them and their families.

Following his mission, Roy actively participated in the activities that the LDS Church had for Young Single Adults, and it was at one of these that he met La Rae Weight. She captivated him from the beginning. When he finally was able to convince her to go out with him, the first chapter in a nearly 63-year love story began.

The couple was married on June 12, 1952, in the Salt Lake Temple, a place where Roy, would later serve as a Sealer, and continue the legacy of eternal families by sealing 7 of his grandchildren to their spouses and 2 of his grandchildren to their parents.

Roy and La Rae spent their first few years in an apartment in the basement of Roy's childhood home on 10th East in Sugarhouse, while Roy finished his education. There, their first daughter Kristy (Lee Phillips) was born.

The couple left for Butte, Montana, when Roy took a job with an architecture firm. While they were living in Butte, La Rae returned to Salt Lake to have their second daughter, Laurie (Harold Pergler). Being far from family taught them that they wanted to return to Salt Lake. Soon, they returned and eventually, Roy started his own architectural firm. The first years were difficult and money was scarce. During the lean years, another daughter, Sherilyn (Gregory Sorenson), was born.

Nearly a decade would pass, and Roy's business began to succeed. Together with his partners [Silver-Allsop & Assoc.; later Silver-Naylor & Assoc.], they designed schools throughout Utah.

Then, a surprise, LaRae announced that she would be having one more child. In December 1969, they were blessed with a girl, Melinda (Moisés García). Shortly after her birth, Roy suffered a devastating illness. He was not expected to live. LaRae was told to say her good-byes. However, through the miracle of a priesthood blessing he remained with us for nearly 45 years.

Roy loved being a dad. Posters, projects, reports, math problems, were all a part of Roy's daily work with his girls. He taught them and talked with them. He counseled and loved them. Each could fill volumes with stories of what a wonderful father his was to them. And dad, since I get to write this, thanks for always being patient while driving and letting me bug you to death as I chatted “Flubby Ears Dad, Flubby Ears.” while pulling on your ear lobes.

Shortly after his retirement, and with his youngest daughter having just returned from a mission, Roy and La Rae were called to serve in the Canada Toronto Mission. There, Roy worked in the office, as a counselor in a Bishopric, and helped teach and fellow-shipper new members to the Church. The couple would serve a second mission, this time to the Toronto Temple, where Roy was a sealer.

Over the last decade and a half, Roy and La Rae have spent countless hours in the Temple. One of Roy's biggest concerns had been helping his son-in-law to finish the temple work for his family. Many were the phone calls requesting more names. Many were the calls expressing concern for children not sealed to parents. He said, “I just can't go and know that these people might look at me and say, 'You missed me.'”

Roy was also concerned about leaving his beloved La Rae. As his health began to decline, he was concerned that everything be perfect and in order so that her life would be easy upon his passing. Theirs is a true love story and his descendants will always have their example to look to.

Roy passed away on March 25, 2015, after suffering a Pons stroke following surgery to repair a heart valve. His passing was peaceful after being surrounded by loved ones for several days. Roy was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Clarence, Marjorie, and Lynn. He is survived by his sweetheart, LaRae, their four daughters and their husbands, 13 grandchildren, and 23 ½ great-grandchildren.

Roy had a firm testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. He loved the Lord. He loved teaching and reading from the scriptures. He had inherited a long tradition of church service and added his part to that tradition. Now, as he looks upon those of us who remain, we know he hopes that each of us will do our part to add to that great legacy. Roy, Dad, Grandpa, we love you! We will miss talking to you! But, as you have taught us, we know we will meet again and we hope to live worthy to do so.