Howard Jeffrey “Jeff ” Silliman
August 14, 1944 - May 18, 2026
Howard Jeffrey “Jeff ” Silliman, age 81, passed away May 18, 2026, at Twin Oaks Assisted Living and Memory Care in Salt Lake City, UT. His daughters had the honor of being with him as he moved into eternity.
He was born August 14, 1944, in Fruita, CO, a son of the late Howard Eugene and Lucille Lenore (Anderson) Silliman. Jeff grew up in Green River, UT. He loved the landscape of the area and would say that on the 8th day, God created Green River. He married Naomi Ruth “Connie” Constance on August 19, 1966, at Wasatch Presbyterian in Salt Lake City. She preceded him in death on May 2, 2026.
Jeff was a loving husband, dad, grandpa, brother, uncle, and friend with a wonderful sense of humor. He loved learning, teaching, reading, running rivers, camping, and drinking Dr. Pepper. He was an advocate of being a good steward of the Earth by recycling. He relished serving and supporting the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and Wasatch Academy.
His education included attending Wheaton College, University of Utah, Fuller Theological Seminary. He received his PhD from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Throughout his career, Jeff served as pastor to Valley Community Presbyterian Church in Richfield, UT; Mount Olympus Presbyterian Church in Holladay, UT; and Cottonwood Presbyterian Church in Murray, UT. He also served as Executive Presbyter for the Presbytery of Riverside in California and the Presbytery of Utah. He also proudly served as the President of the Salt Lake Theological Seminary.
In addition to his parents and his wife, he is preceded in death by one sister, Judy Bowman; and one brother, Rodney Silliman.
He is survived by two daughters, Sara Cavin (Darby) of Cosmopolis, WA; Amy Silliman (Bryon) of Auckland, New Zealand; three granddaughters, Pascal Silliman of Auckland, New Zealand; Bryn Cavin and Kendall Cavin of Aberdeen, WA; and one sister, Karen Smith of Green River, UT.
In lieu of flowers, we encourage you to honor Jeff’s legacy by donating to Wasatch Academy or the Presbytery of Utah. A celebration of Jeff’s life will be held at a future time. He will be dearly missed.
Jesus Christ is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!
In Loving Memory
So many wonderful memories. Time shared that brought laughter and love with family & friends. Jeff was the master at the game of Sequence, a dear friend who will be greatly missed. 💕
Marlene & Bill Wright
Tucson, AZ
Oh Amy, I am so glad to read you were able to be here with him and I am very sorry for your loss. Sending you all my love, Katie
Katherine Ward
Salt Lake Cty, UT
My grandpa enjoyed wearing high waisted pants, reading, eating dinner and saying prayers with family, watching jeopardy and he was a very hard worker who loved and believed in the loving power and community of the church. He loved Star Wars, Indiana Jones and River Rafting. He loved eating Grilled Cheese Toasties. He loved playing Clue with the family, always insisting on playing Colonel Mustard and making us laugh with silly voices. I will miss him deeply.
Pascal Silliman
Auckland, New Zealand
So sorry to hear Amy Thinking of you xx
Lisa Harris
Some of my fondest memories of uncle Jeff are when he was pastor at Mt. Olympus Presbyterian Church. Many times he graciously pretended not to notice Amy and my disruptive giggles in the pew behind the organ while he was giving a sermon or our rollerskating around the church and in the church gym while he was preparing for a sermon. And Doug and I will always be thankful for how he and Connie made Doug’s out of town family feel welcome and at ease, during a visit to our home. I will miss our conversations about Eugene Peterson and how his blue eyes light up when talking about him. And of course I will miss his booming voice declare, Christ has risen, He has risen indeed! With love and prayers of peace and comfort, Nicole and Doug Custer
Nicole and Doug Custer
Lake Forest Park, WA