Former Egg Producer of the Year dies

Claude Thomas Silva Jr., 91, died April 20, 2017, in Turlock, California.

Claude Thomas Silva Jr., 91, died April 20, 2017, in Turlock, California.

Silva was born in San Lorenzo, California, on June 24, 1925, to Claude T. and Olive Silva, the first of four children. At age 17, he joined the Navy and served in the South Pacific during World War II on the USS Wabash. In August 1946, he married Stella Marie Blasquez. He attended Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where he graduated in 1951 with a degree in ag business. After graduation, he moved to Turlock.

Silva spent the majority of his working life in the egg business in California and Oregon. He served the egg industry as a board member of United Egg Producers for many years, becoming chairman in 1983 and 1984. He was honored with the distinguished award of Egg Producer of the Year in 1984. After retirement, Claude and Stella moved to Florence, Oregon, where he became an active member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Silva was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Jamie; and one brother, Julian. He is survived by his wife, Stella; four children, Claudia (Dennis) Silva-Doo, Tom (Linda) Silva, Jim (Cheryl) Silva, and Robert Silva; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one brother, Oliver Silva; and one sister, Marianne Trevisan.

Funeral services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Silva’s memory to Pacific Egg & Poultry Association, Western Poultry Scholarship & Research Foundation, 1521 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814.

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