John Silvers

John D. (Jack) Silvers Jack Silvers was born on September 27, 1922 in Yakima, Washington to George and Mabel Silvers. He graduated from Zillah High School in 1940 and attended Washington State University for two years before being called back to the farm during the war years. Jack was a fruit grower on Buena Heights. Always interested and involved in the community and legislative activities, Jack joined the Buena Grange in 1944. Jack was a member of Big Y and Snokist for 60 years, beginning in 1945 at Zillah. Jack joined the Zillah Masonic Lodge in October of 1946. Jack was instrumental in starting the Grange Library Museum at Central Washington Agricultural Museum Association in Union Gap. He is also a life member of Washington State Horticultural Association and honorary member of Future Farmers of America and Future Homemakers of America. First elected to office in 949, Jack served 40 years as an elected officer of the Washington State Grange, including 14 years as Vice President and 12 years as State President. He was also a member of the national Grange Executive committee for 16 years, retiring in 1992. In these positions, Jack served on a multitude of legislative advisory committees and was appointed by President Jimmy Carter to the National Advisory Committee on Vocational Education for two years. Jack also served on the State Vocational Education Advisory Committee. In 1977 he met privately with President Carter at the White House to discuss western water issues. Jack served on the State Tax Advisory committees under Governors Dixie Lee Ray and John Spellman. He also served as Chairman of Washington Highway Users Conference for six years, meeting weekly during the Legislative sessions to discuss Highway issues. Jacks favorite hobby was traveling. He made 36 trips to many parts of the world and enjoyed sharing these experiences with others. In 1963, as Vice President of a newly formed travel agency, he started a program of FA tours to Europe and the Iron Curtain countries under the Eisenhower People to People program in cooperation with the Ag Education Travel Company of Spokane. Three years later, Jack began escorting international adult tours and later began organizing cruises. He is preceded in death by his parents, George and Mabel Silvers, a twin brother, Charles, and sisters, Mildred Silvers and Frances Silvers Conway. Survivors include his niece, Janet Batchelor of Oakridge, Oregon and Nephew, Jack Conway, of Guntersville, Alabama, along with two great nephews and two great great nephews, and special friends, Liz Wade, of Naches, and Don Deccio, of Yakima. A graveside service in planned for Saturday at 11:00AM at the Zillah Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Yakima Memorial Hospital Foundation, or Grange Library (PO Box 3008, Union Gap, WA, 98903). Valley Hills Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements. Online tribute may be shared with the family at www.valleyhillsfh.com To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of John Silvers, please visit our flower store.