Jerry Baxter Savage

Jerry Baxter Savage, beloved husband, father, Papa, uncle, and friend, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, August 16, 2026. His sudden passing has left his family and friends shocked and deeply saddened. He will be profoundly missed and lovingly remembered for the countless ways he touched the lives of those around him. 

Jerry was born on March 29, 1947, to the late Fred and Lucille Savage and was the youngest of their four children.

 He graduated from Belton High School in 1965 and went on to dedicate 30 years of service to General Motors. He later spent eight years with Honeywell FMT before officially retiring in 2017. 

Jerry was the proud father of his son, Shawn, born in 1969. Later, he met the love of his life, Cindy, through the fishing community that was such an important part of his life. They married in 1983 and built a life filled with love, family, and countless wonderful memories. Together, they welcomed their daughters, Melyssa in 1984 and Kara in 1986. 

Whether on the water, on the golf course, or in his garage, Jerry was doing what he loved most. A talented and respected competitive fisherman, he participated in tournaments throughout the years and found great joy in the camaraderie, challenge, and lifelong friendships the sport provided. His love of the outdoors extended far beyond fishing. He turned his passion and expertise into a trolling motor repair business. Jerry was always willing to help friends, family, and fellow fishermen troubleshoot a problem or repair a motor because he wanted everyone to be able to get back out on the water. 

Never content to sit still, Jerry was always looking for his next project, hobby, or adventure. He bred and trained bird dogs for pheasant and quail hunting, competed in trap shooting, and enthusiastically embraced new interests whenever they caught his attention. He enjoyed golfing and woodworking, creating projects with the same care and craftsmanship that defined so much of his life. For a brief period, he even tried his hand at raising worms, a venture that provided more laughs and stories than success, but perfectly reflected his adventurous spirit and willingness to give just about anything a try. In later years, Jerry found his greatest happiness sharing these interests, traditions, and adventures with his children, grandchildren, nephews, and extended family. 

Of all the roles Jerry held throughout his life, none brought him more joy than being a Papa. His grandchildren, Annika, Palmer, Elise, August, Warren, and Roslyn, were the joy of his life. He treasured every moment spent with them and took great pride in watching them grow. Each shared a special bond with him and knew without question how deeply they were loved. There was no title Jerry wore more proudly than Papa. 

Jerry never met a stranger. He loved life and wanted to be surrounded by family and friends whenever possible, and his genuine nature was magnetic. He had a gift for making people feel welcome, valued, and at ease, and he cultivated meaningful friendships wherever life took him. His faith in Jesus guided the way he lived, and those who knew him saw that faith reflected in his kindness, generosity, willingness to help others, and genuine love for people. He and Cindy were especially grateful for the close circle of friends they found through their congregation at Holy Cross. What began as friendships formed while their children were young grew into lifelong bonds strengthened by shared travels, celebrations, laughter, and unwavering support. 

Jerry was known for offering advice and guidance, whether it was requested or not. Perhaps most memorable were his strong opinions on travel packing, particularly his conviction about exactly how many pairs of underwear one should bring on a trip. He welcomed his daughters' friends and, later, their spouses into his home and treated them with the same warmth, encouragement, and parental kindness he showed his own family. Along with the many dear friends he made throughout his life, these relationships became an important and treasured part of his extended family. 

Jerry's kindness, generosity, sense of humor, and genuine love for people reflected the way he lived every day. The friendships he nurtured over the years stand as a testament to his character and will continue to be a source of comfort, love, and support for Cindy and his family in the days ahead.

 Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Lucille Savage, and his siblings, Janet Lane, JoAnn Mosby, and Jim Savage. 

He is survived by his devoted wife, Cindy Savage; his son, Shawn Savage (Kym); his daughters, Melyssa Blanchett (Daniel) and Kara Brady (Jesse); his beloved grandchildren, Annika, Palmer, Elise, August, Warren, and Roslyn; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and cherished friends.Service Information

Visitation: Thursday, August 27, 12:00 to 1:30 p.m.King of Kings Lutheran Church1701 NE 96th Street Kansas City, MO 64155 

Funeral Service: Thursday, August 27, 1:30 p.m.King of Kings Lutheran Church Celebration of Life 

Reception: Thursday, August 27, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.The National Golf Club of Kansas City 6700 N National Drive Kansas City, MO 64152

Though his passing leaves an immeasurable void, Jerry's family takes comfort in knowing that his love, laughter, wisdom, faith, and traditions will live on through the people who knew and loved him. Whether casting a line, offering advice, sharing a story, or simply enjoying time together, Jerry made every moment count. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered