James Michael Savage

James Michael Savage, 90, of Walla Walla passed away on June 9, 2014. Born on September 1, 1923 in Freewater, OR , the eldest child of Oscar Allen Savage and Mary Maher Savage, he moved to Walla Walla during the early days of the Depression. There he attended St. Patrick’s Grade School for a brief time with a pretty little girl named Marybelle Passmore. His family moved on to Spokane where he grew up with his four siblings, Patricia, Thomas, Bill and Terry and attended St. Anthony Parish School and graduated from North Central High School. Jim joined the Army Air Corp in 1944 where his exceptional mechanical talents were recognized and he became a radio operator and a trainer of aircraft mechanics.

After the war, Jim came to Walla Walla to help his cousin, Jack Aylward, set up a sheet metal business, a profession which he acquired as an apprentice to his uncles, Joe and Mike Maher. There he was reacquainted with his 3rd grade valentine, Marybelle and they were married on June 26, 1948. She was the love of his life and they would have celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary later this month. They raised their five children, David, Barbara, Sharon, Susan and Nancy in Walla Walla and lived to enjoy eleven grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Jim shared his joy and dry, wry humor with all of them.

Jim worked with Jack Aylward Sheet Metal for 17 years and then as a foreman at W.R. O’Rourke’s for 21 years. He enjoyed many years with his friends at the Fort Walla Walla Muzzle Loaders Club building replicas of antique guns and competing at shoots. He was a lifetime member of the BPO Elks Lodge and taught stained glass classes at Carnegie Art Center. Jim found special comfort and strength in his faith and the Catholic Church. In his later years, he had a nearly perfect attendance record at the weekday morning coffee club at the Cookie Tree.

He passed quietly and is survived by his sister, Patty Belknap; brother, Bill Savage; and by his wife, Marybelle; and four of their children: David Savage, Barbara Buttice, Sharon Hagan and Nancy Page.

Viewing & visitation will be held on Friday, June 13, 2014 from 11:00 AM until after the Rosary at the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA. The rosary will be recited the on Friday, June 13, 2014 at 6pm also at the Herring Funeral Home. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, June 14, 2014 at 10:00 AM at Assumption Catholic Church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Walla Walla Community College Foundation—the James and Marybelle Savage Scholarship in Nursing in memory of their daughter, Susan Patricia Savage. Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery with lunch following at Assumption Hall.