In Memory Of
John Arthur Silversmith
1938
2020
John Arthur Silversmith
December 3, 1938 — October 24, 2020
John "Jack" Arthur Silversmith, 81, of Topeka, passed away Saturday, October 24, 2020 due to complications with COVID-19.
He was born December 3, 1938, in Afton, Oklahoma, the son of William "Bryan" and Margaret (Guffey) Silversmith. He graduated from Highland Park High School.
He served in the United States Army and the United States Navy and was a Vietnam Veteran.
When his kids and grandkids were younger, they enjoyed going on vacations. They traveled often to the lake where they liked to camp and boat. He loved his grandkids and his great-grandkids with his whole heart. He never missed their extra-curricular and sporting events. He was a Watch Dog at State Street Elementary School where he would volunteer to walk around the school as a grandparent. He was an avid OU Sooners fan and loved to take pictures.
He enjoyed working on cars and he loved to watch his Nephews race cars on the dirt track.
He was Grandpa Jack to everybody. He didn't know a stranger. When you were with him he always had a story to tell and he had lifetime friends. He will be missed by all, friends and family.
He missed his wife Delores terribly after she passed away on March 1, 2018. They had been together since 1965.
He worked for the Union Pacific Railroad where he traveled all over the country before he gained the seniority to remain in Kansas.
Jack married Delores Swader on November 2, 1974 in Topeka, KS, she preceded him in death. Survivors include his daughters, Sandy Murray, Debbie Ramirez, Pam (Marc) Anderson, and Tanya Jo Silversmith-Samano; son, John Arthur Silversmith, Jr.; grandchildren, Michael L. (Robin) Murray, John P. (Miranda) Murray, Jennifer Murray, Delores (Chris) Brown, Michelle Anderson, and Marcy Anderson; six grandchildren by Tanya and a grandchild by John Silversmith Jr.; 30 great-grandchildren and a niece, Vicky Sue Bowers and her sons, Steven and Bryan. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, son, James Wilcox and his wife, Gwen; sisters, Phyllis Silversmith and Karen Sue Tanner; brother, Robert W. Silversmith, and nephew, Steven Bowers, Sr.
The family requires that you wear a mask and practice social distancing if you plan to attend the service. Masks will be provided to those in attendance if needed.
A Funeral Ceremony will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 30, 2020 at the Penwell-Gabel, 1321 SW 10th Avenue, Topeka. Interment with military honors will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, in Topeka. The family will greet friends an hour prior to service time.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion Post #400 3029 NW Hwy 24, Topeka, KS 66618.
To leave a message for the family online, please visit the guestbook below.
He was born December 3, 1938, in Afton, Oklahoma, the son of William "Bryan" and Margaret (Guffey) Silversmith. He graduated from Highland Park High School.
He served in the United States Army and the United States Navy and was a Vietnam Veteran.
When his kids and grandkids were younger, they enjoyed going on vacations. They traveled often to the lake where they liked to camp and boat. He loved his grandkids and his great-grandkids with his whole heart. He never missed their extra-curricular and sporting events. He was a Watch Dog at State Street Elementary School where he would volunteer to walk around the school as a grandparent. He was an avid OU Sooners fan and loved to take pictures.
He enjoyed working on cars and he loved to watch his Nephews race cars on the dirt track.
He was Grandpa Jack to everybody. He didn't know a stranger. When you were with him he always had a story to tell and he had lifetime friends. He will be missed by all, friends and family.
He missed his wife Delores terribly after she passed away on March 1, 2018. They had been together since 1965.
He worked for the Union Pacific Railroad where he traveled all over the country before he gained the seniority to remain in Kansas.
Jack married Delores Swader on November 2, 1974 in Topeka, KS, she preceded him in death. Survivors include his daughters, Sandy Murray, Debbie Ramirez, Pam (Marc) Anderson, and Tanya Jo Silversmith-Samano; son, John Arthur Silversmith, Jr.; grandchildren, Michael L. (Robin) Murray, John P. (Miranda) Murray, Jennifer Murray, Delores (Chris) Brown, Michelle Anderson, and Marcy Anderson; six grandchildren by Tanya and a grandchild by John Silversmith Jr.; 30 great-grandchildren and a niece, Vicky Sue Bowers and her sons, Steven and Bryan. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, son, James Wilcox and his wife, Gwen; sisters, Phyllis Silversmith and Karen Sue Tanner; brother, Robert W. Silversmith, and nephew, Steven Bowers, Sr.
The family requires that you wear a mask and practice social distancing if you plan to attend the service. Masks will be provided to those in attendance if needed.
A Funeral Ceremony will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 30, 2020 at the Penwell-Gabel, 1321 SW 10th Avenue, Topeka. Interment with military honors will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, in Topeka. The family will greet friends an hour prior to service time.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion Post #400 3029 NW Hwy 24, Topeka, KS 66618.
To leave a message for the family online, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Arthur Silversmith, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Friday, October 30, 2020
10:00 - 11:00 am (Central time)
Penwell-Gabel - Mid-Town Chapel
Service
Friday, October 30, 2020
Starts at 11:00 am (Central time)
Penwell-Gabel - Mid-Town Chapel
Guestbook
Visits: 7
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