David Silva Obituary

SILVA, David

A longtime Fair Oaks resident, David Silva, passed away on Tuesday, October 16, 2007. David was born in San Jose, Calif., on February 6, 1921, to Juana and John Silva. He was preceded in death by all of his brothers and sisters, as well as his lovely wife, Juanita. He is survived by daughters Sylvia Campbell of Carmichael, Susan Mentze of Sheridan and son David Jr. of Fair Oaks. He was dearly loved by three grandchildren, Sydney Nance, Sarah Mentze and Ben Mentze. He was also loved by eight great-grandchildren, Janos Levin, Isaac Gatlin, Madelynn Mentze, Sofia Gatlin, Jonah Mentze, Simon Mentze, Oscar Mentze, and Cecelia Nance. His two sons-in-law, Frank Campbell and Earl Mentze will miss him greatly.

David was a WWII veteran who served in the South Pacific. He loved to tell stories of combat and close calls, always giving glory to God for keeping him safe and for bringing all four brothers home safely from the war.

David was a master saddle-maker. His father John was a cinch-maker when David was young, so David went with him to saddle shops all over California delivering hand-spun cinches. David was enthralled with the old time saddle-makers and dreamed of becoming one. After the war, he eventually was hired by the famous Visalia Stock Saddle company, where he became a master at hand-tooling leather. Over the years, he was trained to not only tool leather but to make the well-known Visalia saddles. The Visalia saddle shop was destroyed in the Town & Country Village fire in 1963, so he opened his own shop, Silva's Village Saddlery, at 2628 Marconi Avenue. The shop thrived as both a retail saddle shop and custom saddlery for thirty-four years. David made many friends during those years at the shop. The old time "general store" atmosphere of the shop drew old timers and young buckaroos as well. After David's retirement, he was honored with the Don King Saddlemaker of the Year Award. He displayed it proudly in his home.

David was a born-again Christian and was willing to share his faith with anyone and everyone who would listen. His family was with him as he passed away at Oakridge Skilled Nursing Facility. He is in Heaven, reunited with his Savior, his loved ones and free from pain and suffering.

Funeral services will be held at Reichert's Funeral Home at 7320 Auburn Blvd. in Citrus Heights on Wednesday, October 24, at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at East Lawn Cemetery at Greenback and I-80.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Sacramento Bee on Oct. 21, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for David Silva

5 Entries

Jan Owens

October 29, 2007

My thoughts and prayers go out to Sue and her entire family at the passing of her father. I never had the chance to meet him but heard some great stories from Sue.

Linda Redondo

October 24, 2007

I will remember my Uncle Dave as a soft spoken, sweet guy. Growing up, I remember my Uncle and my Dad (Clem Redondo) singing together at family parties - I remember some great parties! My Dad on his guitar and both singing wonderful tunes in Spanish and in English. Uncle Dave had a sweet, calm, Perry Como-like voice. I loved to hear him sing. My Dad called him "Camacho".

In the early 60's I worked within walking distance from his saddle shop in the Village and would visit with him during my lunch hours. As the years went by whenever we saw each other we always had great visits and conversations. I have so many good memories of Uncle Dave.

You will be missed, Camacho.

Linda Redondo
(Sacramento, CA)

Cheryl Day-Barwick

October 24, 2007

To Sylvia, and the rest of Dave's family:
Dave was a huge part of my growing up years in Carmichael, California. His shop was where I learned everything I needed to know about training my horses! My former husband, Donnie Barwick, worked for him during the 60's, and after we married, in 1990, we would visit Dave when we came out to California from Georgia. We both loved him and miss him terribly. He had such a great gift and talent for being a friend, telling a story, and saddlemaking, that can never be replaced. Dave was one of a kind! The mold was broken when he was born! I will treasure having known him, for the rest of my life! He made such an impression on me that I became a chapmaker early in my life. When I first told him I made chaps, he said chaps were o.k., if you could just get them to fit right! (From a master saddlemaker!) I never forgot what he said, and my custom chaps always fit right!

Sylvia, I called Donnie to let him know; it saddened him and he asked me to send his love to you and your family. I regret that I can't attend the funeral, but my heart is with you and yours. He was a great man and one-of-a-kind! I will treasure my memories of him for the rest of my life!

Mount Mariah Missionary Baptist Church

October 23, 2007

To The Silva Family:

The Mount Mariah Church Family is very sadden at the homegoing of your loved one. May God's grace & mercy be upon you all at this time. We will be in continued Prayer for you.

In His Service,
Pastor Allen Robinson Sr.

Yvonne Avila

October 22, 2007

My deepest condolences to you Silvia, Susan, David and your entire family.

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