It is with great sadness and heavy hearts we announce the passing of Julian J Silva, age 96, passed away in Raton, New Mexico on April 13, 2026.
Julian was born in Guadalupita, New Mexico in 1930. He attended high school at St. Patrick Catholic School in Raton, New Mexico. Soon after, in 1949, he enlisted in the United States Army and served in the Korean War. He was wounded twice and received a Purple Heart. He received his discharge in 1952. He returned to Raton for about a year and then moved out to California where he worked for the BF Goodrich tire company for 29 years.
Julian is survived by his wife Lillian Silva, his son Julian Silva and wife Jennifer, his daughter Carol Silva and husband Lupe Arenas, son-in-law Gerald Palomar. Julian has 9 grandchildren: James and wife Frances, Kevin, Jennifer, Jillian, Jarrett and Kaitlyn, D’Nelle and husband Josh, Melissa and Lorenzo. He also has 15 great grandchildren Justine, Aurora, Brandon and Carlon, Chloe, Kora and Kiara, Jeremy and Elijah, Liam, Landon and Lenora, Paisley, Lucas and Graysen
He was predeceased by his daughters Gale Palomar and Patricia Silva. His mother Annie Casias, brother Thomas Silva and sister Pauline Monarrez
Julian was a quiet man, but he did like to joke. He was probably most known for, by family and friends, as an avid dancer. He loved dancing. Often you would find the grandchildren standing on his feet when they were little to dance with him. Sometimes if he was working outside with music on, you would catch him dancing by himself. His favorite music was Big Band and Mexican. He also liked an occasional polka.
He liked to read. He would read detective stories, horror (Stephen King), and of course westerns.
Julian was very passionate about his yard. It was important to him that the yard always look maintained. He would joke on how large the yard was and how it would take him a week to trim the bushes, mow the grass and pick it all up. He would start on Monday, finish on Friday then start all over again on Monday.
He also liked to make things for use around the house out of wood. He would go out to his little work shed and he would make clothes hampers, shelves, tables. He was a very handy man. Always doing something around the house whether it was fixing a chimney after an earthquake or repairing a bathroom floor.
Julian loved sports. It didn’t matter which sport it was he would watch. Even golf when nothing else was on. He liked watching American Ninja Warriors. He would say, “you know I could do that”. Then we would laugh because he was already in his 90’s when that show came on.
His favorite sport team was the Los Angeles Dodgers. He liked most of the players, but his favorite player was probably Will Smith, the catcher. He used to call him “the kid”. He would say “hey, did you see the kid hit another home run” or “did you see the kid make that throw”. It seemed once spring training came around we all knew it was time for baseball season. He would talk about how the team was looking and if the Dodgers were going to do it this season. We didn’t mind. Baseball is truly a family sport. We will miss those conversations and yelling along with him at the umpires (on T.V.) all season long.
There will be a memorial service in the chapel of the Alderette-Pomeroy Funeral Home on May 1, 2026 at 11:00 am with EJ Johnson officiating.
Arrangements for Julian J. Silva are entrusted to the Alderette-Pomeroy Funeral Home.
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