Mark was born to Manuel Silva & Portia Taylor Silva in Tulare, CA on March 28, 1949. He lost a short battle with lung cancer on October 7, 2016 in Eureka with his family by his side. Mark was a very special person and was always there to help his family or friends whenever they needed him.

Mark was extremely proud to have served his country from 1967-1977 aboard the USS Kittyhawk during the Vietnam war as a jet engine mechanic, occasionally being flown onshore to work on an aircraft in need. He often spoke of the many places he went and the jobs he did.

After his military service Mark drove truck cross-country until 1982, when he met his future wife and settled in the Eureka area until his death. During this time he drove truck for LA Eureka Lines, John Porter Trucking, RC Kendall Trucking, and proudly owned his own truck and drove it under the name of MJK Silva Trucking, subhauling for Goselin Transportation. He retired from trucking in 2009 where his passion for cooking became his next endeavor.

Mark was taken from us much too soon, and long before he had accomplished all of the things he had on his “list.” He is deeply missed by his family, his friends and his special Veterans Group that did so much to help him during these last few years. “The group” was very near and dear to his heart and he thought of them all as his “brothers.”

Mark was predeceased by his father Manuel Silva, his mother Portia Terry, his brothers Manuel and Martin Silva, his sister Freda Leberon and his nephew Ryan Terry.

He is survived by his wife and soul-mate Jeanne Silva, his step-mother Virginia Silva of Florence, Ore., brothers Jack (Kathy) Terry of Carmichael, Tim (Beata) Terry of Santa Cruz, Dennis (Tracy) Silva of Eugene, Ore., sisters Marie (Harold) Collins of Kansas, and Kimberly (Douglas) Duchscher of Florence, Ore.

He is also survived by his son Richard Silva of Modesto, his stepdaughters Kristiane Nichols (Clifford Gill) of Westport, Wash., Jeanee (Andrew) Buster of Sonora, Rebecca Nichols (Ron Risling) of Eureka, and the light of his life and special granddaughter that he raised as his own, Krisjeana Henson of Eureka.

Mark also leaves behind his brothers-in-law Joseph Tomich and Chester Atkins II, his sister-in-law Katherine Walund, and many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

An informal celebration of life will be held at the Veteran’s Memorial Building 1020 H St Eureka on Saturday, October 22 at 1 p.m.

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The obituary above was submitted by Mark L. Silva’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.