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Silver Chord Obituary
Silver began his life on Aug. 7, 1934, in Aitkin, Minnesota. Silver graduated with a music-drama major from Montana State University. He drove a chip truck for Missoula Cartage until he was injured. He returned to the University of Montana and received a Master's in psychology. He started his professional career in the juvenile delinquent program in Missoula. He ventured north to take a position as director of special education.
In the Yukon Flats School District, Alaska, he fulfilled a life-long dream of moving to Alaska. It was in Alaska he met and married Marie Zib "Chord," a person who filled his life with love and adventure. He retired from the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, where he was a special education teacher and counselor.
Music was a major part of his life, and his great love was singing at home, performing for various events, and adding his voice to various choral groups. In Fairbanks he sang with The Alaska Chamber Choral, Fairbanks Summer Music Festival, Fairbanks Light Opera Theatre, and at various Catholic churches.
Silver was an active member of the Fairbanks community. He served on LOVE Inc. board, North Star Borough board member, Directa Emerita for Northland Youth Choir, Member of the Knights of Columbus, Elks Club, SASS (Single Action Shooting Society), and GHSS (Golden Heart Shooting Society).
He is survived by his wife, Marie Zib-Chord, Fairbanks, Alaska, as well as children from a prior marriage, Steven Peter, Missoula, Montana; Sterling Silver and wife Ida Marie Johnson, Washington, Utah; Melody Marie Chord (Yusuf div.) Portland, Oregon; and Scott Arnold Lunn Everett, Washington.
Silver also leaves behind grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Omar- Amir Mahmoud Yusuf, wife Courtney Jane Bertrand, sons Parker Silver Scott and Avery Richard Scott, Tigard, Oregon. Melissa Marie Chord, husband Andrew La Mar Fairbanks, daughter Emmalynn Grace, Springville, Utah. Christopher Ryan Chord wife Maressa Annette Fiest, sons Christopher Cale and Luca Kai, East Sound, Orcas Island, Washington. Amanda Michelle Chord husband Corbin Byers, children Benjamin Thomas and Katherine Amelia Jane, Pleasant Grove, Utah. Carson Chord, Camano Island, Washington.
He was preceded in death by brothers William Arnold Chord Jr. and Robert LeRoy Chord; parents, William Arnold Chord Sr. (1865-1928) and wife Minnie Oline Stone (1894-1982), member of Eastern Star; and grandparents, William Arnold Chord Sr. (1865-1928) wife Sabrina Robbins Ellsworth (1866-1944).
Byron McGilvray will be dedicating the first concert of the Fairbanks Arts Festival to Silver. The concert is 7 p.m. July 16 in Davis Hall at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. July 17 at Immaculate Conception Church with reception to follow in Murphy Hall.
Silver wanted to encourage and support young singers. With this in mind, we ask in leu of flowers please send a donation to the Northland Youth Choir, P.O. Box 82699, Fairbanks, AK 99708.
Please visit https://gb774.app.goo.gl/QkkRP to sign an online guest book.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Silver Chord
2 Entries
Tillila Beetus
July 7, 2023
My condolences, many thanks for Silver getting me through high school.
Jo Ryman Scott
July 7, 2023
Dear Marie, Silver will be remembered for his love of music. I will be thinking of him and all of Dr. Byron McGilvray;s Festival Chorus when they open this years Festival on July 16th. I regret that I can´t be there on that date. I´ll be at the Festival week II. I´m grateful Byron´s s chorus will be honoring Silver´s years of singing in that wonderful chorus.
Love from Jo Ryman Scott, now living in a retirement community in Tucson, but my heart is still in Fairbanks.
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