Ralph Forrest Silcox

He was born in Jacksonville, Florida to Ralph Forrest Silcox, Sr. and Hazel Tyre Silcox and grew up in Cedar Hills on the family dairy farm on Wilson Blvd. He attended Nathan Bedford Forrest High School and St. Johns River Junior college where he played baseball. He would later own Silcox Building Materials and Hardware on Jacksonville’s Westside and Green Cove Springs. This was a family run business, his mother, father and sister worked with him in the business. From this business he would start Silcox Concrete in 1974. He owned this business and made many acquaintances over the next 13 years. During this time, some of his affiliations included The Rotary Club and Northeast Florida Home Builders Association where he was an Associate member. In later years he worked in heavy equipment sales and most recently in real estate.

Forrest is survived by his wife Darlene Silcox, his children; Dawn Jansson (Peter), Aimee Peacock (David), Ralph Forrest Silcox, III (Tamara), Jill Buda (Rick), Josh Padgett (Dawn), Nicole Padgett, His five grandchildren; Christopher Jansson, Ella Jansson, Jessica Buda, Jack Buda, Carly Padgett, His sister Gail Mills (Fletcher), and four nieces and nephews; Michael VanDoran (Christy), Orie VanDoran (Lacey), Tamara Nelson (Michael), Stacey Walker (Marty).

He was a proud American that loved his country. To him there was no better football team than Florida State. He enjoyed many years as a Golden Chief booster and watching them on TV every time they were on in later years. He was an avid fisherman and hunter throughout his life and was a member of West Caravelle Hunt Club in the Ocala National Forrest and the Northeast Florida Marlin Association in St. Augustine. All these were important, but none more so than family. He was never happier than when all his family was around him. Family dinners made up some of his favorite memories; he loved cooking and sharing food with people.

There will be a viewing and visitation at Hardage-Giddens Riverside Memorial Park and Funeral Home on Wednesday May 23rd from 6:00-8:00. The memorial service will be held at Lakeshore Baptist Church on Thursday May 24th at 11:00 with a graveside service immediately following at Riverside Memorial Park. The family would like to invite all to join them following the graveside service for a celebration of his life at The Rusty Plow, 9158 Teague Road.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Florida Baptist Children’s Home.

You may leave words of comfort and sympathy at www.HGRiversideFuneralHome.com. HARDAGE-GIDDENS, RIVERSIDE MEMORIAL PARK and FUNERAL HOME, 7242 Normandy Boulevard is serving the family.