Herman Sillas Jr
February 11, 1934 — November 22, 2023
We, the family of Herman Sillas, Jr., sadly share the news of the passing of our beloved father. He left us on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, at the age of 89 years.
He is survived by his wife, Cora Sillas – with whom he shared 65 years of marriage, devoted love, and partnership - along with 5 children, 11 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.
After attending the UCLA School of Law in 1958, Herman’s life was full of accomplishments (but not limited to): appointed as Director of the California Department of Motor Vehicles by Governor Jerry Brown, Jr. (1975 – 1978), appointed as the United States Attorney by former President Jimmy Carter (North-Eastern District of California 1978-1980), founding member of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund and the Mexican American Bar Association, official Legal Counsel to the California Association of Bilingual Educators, Legal Counsel to educator Sal Castro during the Chicano student “walkouts”, Chairman of the State of California Committee for the National Civil Rights Commission, an award-winning artist, a recipient of four 2015 International Latino Book Awards for his book, View from the Pier, and a sought-after speaker on the Chicano Movement. He was a faithful servant to God, and we thank you for the outpouring of love and support to our family.
Details are forthcoming on services as soon as they are available.
Condolences for the family may be sent through our webstie.
He is survived by his wife, Cora Sillas – with whom he shared 65 years of marriage, devoted love, and partnership - along with 5 children, 11 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.
After attending the UCLA School of Law in 1958, Herman’s life was full of accomplishments (but not limited to): appointed as Director of the California Department of Motor Vehicles by Governor Jerry Brown, Jr. (1975 – 1978), appointed as the United States Attorney by former President Jimmy Carter (North-Eastern District of California 1978-1980), founding member of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund and the Mexican American Bar Association, official Legal Counsel to the California Association of Bilingual Educators, Legal Counsel to educator Sal Castro during the Chicano student “walkouts”, Chairman of the State of California Committee for the National Civil Rights Commission, an award-winning artist, a recipient of four 2015 International Latino Book Awards for his book, View from the Pier, and a sought-after speaker on the Chicano Movement. He was a faithful servant to God, and we thank you for the outpouring of love and support to our family.
Details are forthcoming on services as soon as they are available.
Condolences for the family may be sent through our webstie.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Herman Sillas Jr, please visit our flower store.