Ray Silvas

Ray ‘Sonny’ Silvas has left us for his home with Jesus on May 9, 2022, after a fierce battle with cancer. Born March 6, 1934, in North Hollywood, California, to Ray Silvas and Josephine Franco, their only child. He moved to Las Vegas in 1954. Met and married Nancy Martin, the mother of his daughters, and they remained close friends even after divorce. Ray proudly served in the US Army for 3 years and then started his lifelong career at Nevada Power (NV Energy) in 1960. He ‘retired’ in 1994, as Operations Supervisor. He never really slowed down. He worked for his son in law, Doug at Sun Valley Homes, as the gardener, he worked for his grandson, Keith at Vegas Valley Plumbing. His last job ended in 2021 with LVMPD in fleet services where he served as Lead Driver. He also volunteered A LOT: Ambassador of Hope, Handicap Parking Enforcement, Salvation Army, Special Events, Gang Unit Assistant, VIVA Fremont Street. He traveled the world with his second wife Virginia (Bunny), whom he cared for until her passing in 1990. He loved his family and regularly told anyone who would listen that he is the ‘luckiest man in the world’. He loved reading, was a passionate United States Patriot. He was up to date on everything politics and didn’t have any problem telling anyone within earshot what he thought. He hunted his entire life and loved fishing. He loved food of every kind, followed by a cup of coffee and ‘what’s for dessert’. The love of his life, Susan Penrod, introduced him to his favorite place, Maui and they flew across the ocean many times to be there. Ray is survived by Susan, his daughters Teresa (Doug) Chapman, Sherri (Gary) Graves; Susan’s children Donnie (Jeannie) Penrod, David (Jill) Penrod; his grands Jennifer (Billy) Arndt, Jeff (Amanda) Chapman, Keith (Dylan) Chapman, Kyle Thowsen (Glenda Wellendorf); his great grands Ainsley, Dominic, Kennedy, Charley, Jamie, Aizah. His niece Cherlyn (Lyle) Lawton; great nieces Shannon (Danny) Landers, Breann (Jack) Bowman. Daddy leaves a huge hole in this world and in the lives of his family and his friends, so many friends. Just a few: Skip and Karen, Stevie and Debbie, Kevin and Gloria, Blair and Leslie, Lee and Lyndy, Ken and LaVerne, Ron Galway, the Ardilla Family; and his pastors, Rhonda and Jayne, and friends at Sin City Church. A special mention to Dr Aria Fazlinejad, who showed great compassion to the family. His celebration services will be July 13 and will include a Service at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery and then a time of sharing, laughing, crying and toasting at the home of his daughter.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmeastern.com for the Silvas family.