Karl Arthur Silvester, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather returned to his Heavenly Father on the morning of June 7, 2024. He was a loving patriarch of the Silvester family. He was a generous, kind, faithful and dedicated man, he was loved by many and served many more.
Karl was born in Idaho. He was the 2nd child of Vivian Holm Silvester and John Arthur (Art) Silvester. He had an older sister Loana, younger brother J.D., younger sister Linda; with father's side siblings John and Carol.
A forever faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, he completed a mission in Sweden where his mother's family immigrated from. He loved learning about his Heavenly Father and his Savior Jesus Christ, and in learning how to help Heavenly Fathers' children and families.
Prior to his mission he served for a time in the National Guard in Idaho. Karl served in many leadership positions in the Church, the callings he enjoyed most were teaching the young people.
He attended Ricks college, where he earned his associate's degree; Utah State University where he earned his bachelor's degree; University of Wyoming earning his Master's Degree in Counseling and the University of Utah where he earned his Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Educational Psychology.
During his career while serving as a psychologist for the Weber County School District, he started up the Parent and Child Together Program which was such a success that when he began working in the Salt Lake School District he initiated it there as well as in the Cottonwood and Granite School Districts.
He created PERC Parent Education Resource Center in the Salt Lake Community Education Center. He created TV Talk for Families, authored "Ethics in Action" and "How the World Works". In his spare time he administered GED tests at the jail and was an instructor for the BYU Salt Lake Center teaching LDS Family curriculum.
He was President of the Utah School Counselors Association from 1993-1994. President of the Utah and Guidance Department. Awarded the National Defense Grant to the University of Wyoming to obtain his Master's Degree. The Utah State Board of Education awarded him their "Professional Certificate" and University Committee Fellowship. He received a Post Doctoral Professional Certification in Administration and Supervisory from the University of Utah. Was Certified from the Utah State Board of Education in: Administrative/Supervisory School Counselor, School Psychologist Secondary Education.
He devoted his professional life to counseling, working with young people and their families. He worked for Davis County School District, Weber County School District, and the Salt Lake City School District until he retired in 2005. He devoted 42 years of his life to helping children and their families through the education system. His greatest professional joy was serving children as a teacher, school counselor and school psychologist.
On July 11, 1963, he married the love of his life Bonnie Jean Bybee, in the Logan Temple. Together they raised seven children, Julie (Dave) Farnes, Kelly Arthur (Shannon) Silvester, David Arthur Silvester, James Arthur (Tawnya) Silvester, Steven Arthur (Paula) Silvester, Amy (Rob) Orsini, Ryan Arthur (Karla) Silvester. He was known in the schools as "Dr K" and his siblings and family called him "K". Karl was a man of great integrity, he valued his family more than any title, degree or position. We are all better for knowing and loving him.
Karl will be remembered for his tireless work for the welfare of the children of Utah. Most importantly he will be remembered for his incredible devotion to his family where he served as a great listener and wise counselor for the many who came to him for advice. All who knew Karl will miss his beautiful spirit, patience, smile, blue eyes, knowledge, and spontaneous love of bursting into song.
He is survived by his loving wife Bonnie, 5 sons, 2 daughters, 26 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren plus one on the way. He loved spending time with his family, especially the little ones, grandchildren and great grandchildren whom he had a great fondness for. He will always be remembered for his love of children.
He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Loana Barlow and half brother John William Silvester.
The family would like to thank Emily and Maria from Dignity Home Health and Hospice for the care given to Karl. We are especially grateful to the ministering angels on their street: The Mortensens, Deinerts, Claire and Guillaume Roze.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, June 15, 2024 at the Bountiful 17th Ward building, 650 East 2150 South, Bountiful, Utah. A viewing will be held Friday evening from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful and Saturday morning 9:30-10:45 a.m. at the church prior to services. Interment - Uintah City Cemetery (1500 East 6450 South, Uintah City, Utah.
Services will be streamed live on Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and this obituary page.
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