Richard Savage

Richard Melvin Savage Papa December 23, 1923 September 29, 2010 Our loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away peacefully into the arms of his Heavenly Father on September 29th 2010 after a short illness, surrounded by his loving family. Dad was born on December 23, 1923 in Logan, Utah to Melvin Ralph and Zelma Farr Savage. He married Dorothy Yuline Sorensen on March 4, 1943 in Preston, Idaho. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple and they enjoyed 63 years together. As an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints he gave many years of service in stake and ward callings. He served his country in the Army-Air Force in England during WWII on several bases repairing aircraft instrumentation. Dad attended Utah State University and later graduated from Henagers Business College with a degree in Business Administration. He spent his career in the road construction and sand and gravel industry in his early years and in 1966 he founded Pioneer Sand and Gravel, a family business that he owned and operated for 30 years. He retired in 1988. Dad traveled extensively and loved seeing and visiting new places. As a family we enjoyed traveling together to many interesting places but his favorite vacation destination was Grand Teton National Park. We have many happy memories in this beautiful place. Dad was politically minded, loved his country and was proud of his conservative views. He was a longtime member of the Sons of the Utah Pioneers and formed many lasting friendships that he cherished. As his family we were always amazed at his unusual knowledge and his recollection of facts and figures, dates and historical events. For instance, you could ask him the elevation of any mountain on the earth, and he knew it. Through the years, his manicured yard was a perfect gathering place for many community and family events. It was a great source of pride and satisfaction to him. He is survived by his five children, Ronald E (Annette) Savage, South Jordan; Sandra (Reed) Phillips, Inkom, ID; Janet (Dennis) Townsend, West Jordan; Heidi (Clint) Hutchings, Taylorsville; Heather (Scott) Gwilliam, Taylorsville; as well as 23 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sweetheart, Dorothy; his parents and sisters, Evelyn Diane VanNess, Dorothy Deardorff and Bettie Pruitt. A viewing will be held at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road, in Taylorsville, Utah on Friday, October 1st 2010 from 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 2nd at 12:30 pm with a viewing one hour prior, at the Bennion 2nd Ward, 6100 South Kamas Drive (2470 W). Interment, Valley View Memorial Park, 4335 West 4100 South.