Larry Savage 1942-2021
Larry John Savage, 78, of Bernalillo, N.M., formerly of Soldier and Holton, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, at his home. His wife was at his side.
He was born Nov. 25, 1942, in Wetmore and was the son of Lawrence W. and Kathryn (Patch) Savage, who preceded him in death; he also was preceded in death by a stepdaughter, Penny Sue Smith.
Larry graduated from Soldier High School in 1960 and later from Jet Mechanical School in 1962. He lived in Newton for 17 years; Emporia for two years; 13 months in Redlands, Calif.; two years in Holton; 12 years in Albuquerque, N.M.; 21 years in Soldier; then back to Albuquerque, N.M., for five years.
Larry worked for Santa Fe Railroad as a machinist and was later promoted to supervisor and management for 18 years at the Santa Fe Shops and assistant manager of maintenance of Way Department for the whole system at Santa Fe ATSF Railroad.
Larry was a member of International Association of Machinist, Narve Veterans of Fraternal Order of Eagles, American Legion Riders and a volunteer with Rural Water District 3 of Holton.
He married Linda R. Smith on April 14, 1979, in Emporia. They celebrated 41 years of marriage.
Survivors include his wife, Linda; two sons, Larry D. Savage (Mary) of Soldier and Alvin L. Savage (Tena) of Newton; two daughters, Susan Redger (Rick) of Newton and Tammie Schmidt (Jim) of Newton; a stepson, Jim Rogers (Debbie) of Wichita; two brothers, Claude Savage (Pat) of Brea, Calif., and Lyle Savage of Mayetta; two stepsisters, Deloris Beam of Circleville and Dianna Wilson (Willy) of Holton; two stepbrothers, Danny VanDonge (Shirley) of Havensville and Donnie VanDonge (Elvie) of Topeka; 16 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Larry will lie in state Monday afternoon, March 1 and Tuesday, March 2 until 6 p.m. each day at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. A private family funeral will be held Wednesday, March 3 at the funeral home with public burial at 11:30 a.m. in Holton Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to Holton VFW Post 1367, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
