U.G. Savage

U.G. (Butch) Savage was born December 17, 1931 at home In Thayer, Kansas, to father, Homer Dwight Savage and mother, Edith Marie Glentzer Savage who predeceased him. Butch attended grade school in a one room school house in Mound Valley, Oklahoma where he rode his horse to school. He later attended school; in Wynona, Pawhuska and graduated from Hominy High School where he completed his secondary education and played football as a Hominy Buck. Butch attended Oklahoma State University from 1949-1953 where he received a BS degree in Animal Husbandry. He was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity where he was steward of the house and made many lifelong friends. Butch married the love of his life, college sweetheart, Carolyn Lou Stevens, his senior year of college on January 24, 1953. While at OSU, he was a member of ROTC and obtained the rank of 2nd Lt. After graduation Butch went on active duty with the US Army Chemical Corp at Fort McClellan, Alabama, serving as a company commander of the 501 chemical department company and then transferred to the headquarters for the 477 chemical battalion assistant operations and training officer. Upon completion of his active military service, Butch served In the 45th Infantry National Guard unit in Hominy, Oklahoma, and later transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he was in Command Corp Company. He served his country in this capacity for 5 years. In July 1957, Butch was appointed to the grade of Captain as a reserve commissioner officer in the Army of the United States. After completing active duty, Butch and Carolyn returned to Hominy, Oklahoma, to become owner and operator of the Savage Ranch, where he partnered with his father and mother in ranch operations until their deaths. Butch incorporated the Savage Ranch into the Savage Land and Cattle Co. and through hard work and sacrifice, was able to increase his land and grass capacity to become a little gem in Osage County. Butch and his late brother, Dr. J.D. Savage also partnered in the ranching business for 20 years, loving the camaraderie and challenge of the cattle business. During this time, Butch also made for himself in the cattle order buying business, buying cattle for producers. Butch served as a member of the first OSU Posse Club board promoting athletics at OSU. Butch was awarded an honorary varsity "'O" for his participation in the Cattlemenís Athletic Club furnishing beef to the OSU athletic programs. He also served on the board of the OSU Alumni Association and was past president of the Osage County Cattlemanís Association. Butch was a past Chairman of the Oklahoma National Livestock Commission Company and Credit Corporation, both of which support cattlemen and the Oklahoma livestock industry. He also served as Chairmen of the National Livestock Producers Association, headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, which further supported the financial and marketing needs of livestock producers across the nation. Butch was a faithful member of First Christian Church in Hominy for almost 50 years. He loved the members of this congregation and served the Lord through his leadership in the church. Butch and Carolyn retired to Lake Texoma in 1999, serving the Durant community through the Meals on Wheels organization as a contributing member of First Presbyterian Church. Family ties with their Texas offspring and grandchildren permitted him to be more closely involved with their academic and extracurricular activities. He also loved OSU sports and faithfully attended many basketball and football games over the years. Through the years Butch was actively involved In hunting, golfing, and fishing with close friends and ranching associates. He attained the title of ìMaster Angler" on several of his fishing trips to Canada and the Northwest Territories. He enriched his fishing experience with new Texoma fishing buddies during the last few years of his life. He never met a fisherman he didn't like. Loving his family unconditionally was one of his many endearing attributes, leaving behind his wife of 58 years, Carolyn; daughter and son-in-law Carin and Wayne Usry of Fort Worth, Texas; and son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Christy Savage of Southlake, Texas. The other loves of his life were his grandchildren, Lauren Usry Altman and husband, Blake and great grandchildren Annie and Andrew,who are moving to Owasso, Oklahoma to plant a new Presbyterian Church (P.C.A.); Grant and Michelle Usry of Denver, Colorado; Abigail Usry of Houston,Texas; Ford Savage of Waco,Texas; and Meredith Savage of Stillwater,Oklahoma. Butch also mentored many young businessmen to lead lives of integrity, wisdom and winsomeness, three characteristics that beautifully marked his own life and career. Memorial services will be held August 9, 2011, at the First Presbyterian Church in Durant, Oklahoma, at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Butch's honor may be made to the charity of your choice or to the: OSU Foundation Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Perpetual Care for Companion Animals The Butch Savage MemorialFund Attn:Sharon Worrell, 308 McElroy Hall Stillwater,OK 74078.