LEIVAS, John Silva

Mohave Daily News, Mohave Valley, AZ - Published on June 1, 2011 - John Silva Leivas, our loving husband, father, grandpa, brother, uncle, and friend, departed from this Earth on Saturday, May 14, 2011, to join his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in Heaven. Johnny was born on August 21, 1948, in Parker, Ariz. He lived his life in Needles, Calif., where he attended the Needles schools, graduating from the Needles High School with the Class of 1968. After high school, Johnny served in the Armed Forces, and upon returning from his term in the military, he started his career with the Santa Fe Railroad, where he worked for 39-1/2 years. Johnny was an inspiration and a hero to us all! He was a devoted, loving husband and father to his children. Our hearts will always ache from our loss, and our love for him will endure forever. Johnny was preceded in death by his father, John Gonzales Leivas; mother, Lelia Silva Drew; brother, Ezekiel Leivas; and nana, Goya. Johnny is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Peggy; his three sons and daughters-in-law, Dennis and Allison Callaway, John and Zahira Leivas, and Richard and Aurelia Leivas; daughter and son-in-law, Kari and Derek Geiger; dad, Charles Drew; six sisters, Priscilla (Leivas) Hill, Esther (Leivas) Sepulveda, Elizabeth (Lizzie) Leivas, Rose (Zapata) Wall, Carla Drew and Amanda Barrera; and two brothers, Ruben Leivas and Billy Leivas. Throughout Johnny's life he was blessed with 13 grand- children whom he loved dearly: Andrew, Mary and Ryan Callaway, Christina, Felicity and John Leivas, Collen, Reed and Bryar Leivas, and Christian, Chloe, Cali and Caleb Geiger. Johnny is also survived by many nephews, nieces, and friends. Services were previously held.