Major (USMC Ret.) Thomas A. Silvear, 76, died peacefully after a brief illness Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008, at Peterson Regional Medical Center in Kerrville. He was born on June 12, 1932, in Carmel, California, to the late Edwin and Rachel May Silvear. Tom attended a one-room schoolhouse and graduated from Monterey High School in 1949. He served in the United States Marine Corps during Korea and Vietnam, and retired in Camp Lejeune, NC, with the rank of Major. He was united in marriage to Ann Spivey in Swansboro, NC, on Dec. 1, 1984.

Major Thomas Silvear had an honored and distinguished career in the United States Marine Corps. Thomas enlisted at age 18 and went straight from basic training at Camp Pendleton to Korea where he was part of “Dog” Company, 2/1, 1st Marine Division. He made the Inchon landing and fought at the Chosin Reservoir. After attending Officers Candidate School in Quantico, VA, Thomas was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in June 1958 and promoted to First Lieutenant in 1959. He was assigned to 1st Recon Battalion, then part of the Marine Contingent aboard a USN cruiser before serving as a recruiting officer in Denver for two years. In May 1966, he deployed to Vietnam as the Company Commander of “India” Company, 3/26. Tom returned in 1970 as an advisor to the Vietnamese Marines.  Among his many honors and commendations for valor, Thomas was awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, three Purple Hearts, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal (with three stars), Vietnam Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation Gallantry Cross Color (with Palm), and the Naval Observer Wings. Thomas Silvear graduated from Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature in 1977.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Jean and husband Terry Wilkinson of Carmel, CA, and his delightful Aunt Alice Dodge of Soquel, CA.

Tom is survived by his loving wife of 24 years Ann Silvear of Kerrville; seven children, son, retired USMCR Sgt. Maj. and San Jose police detective Brian Christian and wife Anita of San Jose, CA, daughter, retired USAF veteran Adrienne Acoba and husband Major Michael of Tuscon, AZ, daughter BethAnn Newton and husband David, a U.S. Coast Guard veteran of Emerald Isle, NC, daughter Susan and husband USMC Col. Michael Jordon of MacDill AFB, FL, son Thomas A. Silvear II of Houston, TX, daughter Jennifer Spivey of San Diego, CA, and son Mark Spivey and wife Giselle of Houston, TX; four grandchildren, Amanda Keesler of Jefferson City, MO., Brittany Jordon of MacDill AFB, FL., Tyler Spivey and Maddie Layne, both of Houston, TX; two great-grandsons Jordan and Ayden Keesler, both of Jefferson City, MO.; and numerous nieces, nephews and other family members and friends who love him will miss him.

Published November 28, 2008, Kerrville Times

Handsome Tom

AKA

Thomas A. Silvear