Jorge Orlando Saavedra

Jorge Orlando Saavedra

Jorge Orlando Saavedra, 50, of Lynchburg, went to be with his Savior on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010. He spent the last weeks of his life at home, surrounded by family and friends. He was the loving husband and best friend of Ronda Marie (Ayers) Saavedra for 20 years.

Jorge was born Jan. 26, 1960, in Bogota, Colombia, the son of the late Orlando Saavedra and Isabel (Cardenas) Saavedra. In 1978, he graduated from Mt. Vernon High School in Alexandria, then proudly served his country and was a 20 year veteran of the United States Air Force. After retiring, from the military, he went on to work for 11 years at Babcock and Wilcox. He earned his BBA from Averett University in 2007. Jorge was also an active member of Calvary Chapel of Lynchburg.

In addition to his wife, Jorge is survived by his beloved children, sons, Christopher Jorge Saavedra, of San Diego, Calif., and Joshua Glenn Saavedra, of Little Rock, Ark., and daughter, Julia Marie Mercedes Saavedra, of Lynchburg; sisters, Julia del Castillo and Rocio del Castillo, of Bogota, Colombia, Cecelia Guzman, of Port Chester, N.Y., Claudia del Castillo, of Charlotte, N.C., Joanna (Cope) Devers, of Monterey, Calif., and Jeanette Saavedra, of Bogota, Colombia; and brothers, Fernando del Castillo and Eduardo del Castillo, of Bogota, Colombia, and Nelson Arango del Castillo, of Ibague, Tolima, Colombia. He is also survived by a host of loving cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws.

Jorge was truly an extraordinary man who adored his family, who selflessly put the needs of others before his own, loved people, embraced life and lived it to the fullest and was an encourager and motivator like no other. Above all, he loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He never met a stranger and leaves behind many close friends, co-workers and Christian brothers and sisters. The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Jorge's extended family, his church families at Calvary Chapel and Heritage Baptist Church, his co-workers at Babcock and Wilcox and all of his friends for their unwavering prayers, encouragement and support during Jorge's illness. The family would also like to express their heartfelt appreciation to the exceptional doctors, nurses, therapists, CNAs and EMTs at Centra Health, Lynchburg Health and Rehabilitation, Centra Hospice and the City of Lynchburg Fire Department who dedicated themselves to Jorge's care and comfort.

In accordance with Jorge's wishes, a formal funeral service will not be held. Instead, a celebration of Jorge's life will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010, at Calvary Chapel of Lynchburg with Pastor Dan Mouw, of Chattanooga, Tenn., officiating. A reception for family and friends will immediately follow after the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making memorial donations in Jorge's memory to World Vision, P.O. Box 9716, Federal Way, WA 98063-9716, or Centra Hospice, 1920 Atherholt Road, Lynchburg, VA 24501-1104.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family, (434) 237-9424. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tharp

funeralhome.com.