Manuel Joseph Silva Jr.

Manuel was born May 15, 1937, in Tulare, California to Manuel J. Silva Sr. and Laura Ann Gastineau Silva. He was the oldest of four children and was raised on his parents’ dairy farm. Manuel married the love of his life on Feb. 13, 1957. In 1972 he came to Washington state to start his own dairy farm. Manuel was proud of his Portuguese heritage and spoke the language fluently. Manuel enjoyed many hobbies through life. He played quarterback in high school and enjoyed boxing. After high school he and two friends started following PBR rodeos and riding bulls. Manuel placed fourth in the nationals at LA Grand Nationals. He raced modified jalopies up and down the California coast. Later in life, he rode cutting horses throughout the Northwest. Manuel rebuilt his father's 1972 truck and showed it at events across the Northwest.