Don Manly Savage
Memphis, TN
Don Manly Savage, who was 100 years old, born in Rochester, MN in December of 1916, passed away on Sunday April 16th 2017, Easter Morning. He is predeceased by his parents, mother, Lilian "Sue" Elfie (Hagen) Savage, on April 13, 1984 and, father, Francis Roland Savage, in August 1961. Don is survived by his only child, his son, Ned B. Savage, who lives in Memphis. Don was also predeceased by his sister Frances Betty Savage (Steffen), and brother, Frank Roland Savage. Don was the oldest of three children. Shortly after birth, his dad became the coach at Hibbing Junior College, in Hibbing, MN. Don grew up in Hibbing, returning to Rochester in the summers to work at his uncle's meat market making deliveries by bicycle, and later at an older age working in the Hibbing area on the Duluth Missabe & Iron Range. His hobby was playing golf, and he used a Golf Scholarship to attend Washington University in St. Louis, MO, earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering. At Washington University he met a young girl from Little Rock, AR, Katherine Louis Barlow, and she and Don were married in November of 1940. Katherine predeceased Don in 2009, just shy of their 69th wedding anniversary.
Upon graduation he was employed by a Defense Contractor building machines to build military equipment, but Don wanted to fly in the Army Air Corps, and he finally got released form his job with barely enough time to join the Air Corps. After many months of training, he was assigned to a B-29 crew as a flight engineer. On the way to the war zone, the plane was recalled – the war was over. He stayed in the Air Corp on reserve duty as an officer, and was recalled to active duty in the Korean Conflict, and assigned to Barksdale AFB. As a civilian, he went to work for Esso, based out of Little Rock, AR, in the late 1940's. He was transferred to the District office in Memphis TN, in 1953. While in Memphis he was active with USAF reserve and served as the Squadron Commander of Supply on the base at the Memphis Airport. In 1960, He was then transferred by Esso to the office in New Orleans, where stayed until that office was closed. While in the Gulf Coast area he was on active reserve duty at Eglin, AFB, Fort Walton Beach, FL. In 1966, he returned to the now Region Esso Office in Memphis. Upon returning to Memphis, he joined the Colonial Country Club, joined the Memphis Open Gallery Marshalls helping in the Golf Event in 1967. Don Savage continued with this event becoming the Captain of the Gallery Marshalls on the 18th Hole at the FedEx Classic when play was started at the Southwind course. This would have been his 50th year, after missing one due to work in 1968. Don was an avid golfer playing until he was 95 years old. Don retired from the USAF as Lt Col. with 28 years of service. Don stayed with Esso/Exxon until the Memphis Office was closed, in the early 1980s.
Don volunteered to serve as an usher at the 8 AM Sunday Service at The Church of the Holy Communion, and has faithfully served in that position for the 40 years. He also was a member of the Brotherhood of Saint Andrew, an Episcopalian Organization.
Don Savage served as President of the Esso/Exxon annuitants club, as president of the Mid-South B-29's club, was a perpetual member of the Military Order of the World Wars, serving as Memphis Chapter Commander. He was also a member of MOAA, Memphis Engineers' Club, as TN State Licensed Professional Engineer. A Life member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, a 50 plus year member of the Magnolia #69 Free and Accepted Masons, Little Rock, AR. Don was a member of the Midsouth Amateur Radio Association, the Delta Amateur Radio Association, ARRL, and Air Force Mars. He was an amateur radio operator since 1978, his Call was KA4BMI, and was a Technician License holder.
Don's memorial service will be 11 a.m. Monday April 24th at Church of the Holy Communion, with a reception to follow at 12 Noon. Internment with full military honors will be at West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery on Tuesday, April 25th at 10 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his honor to a group or church of the donor's choice.
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Published in The Commercial Appeal from Apr. 22 to Apr. 23, 2017
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