Curtis Sam "Jim" Savage

Curtis Sam "Jim" Savage, 90, of Gulfport, died Saturday, May 14, 2011 in Biloxi. He was a devoted Father and Grandfather. He was born in Longton, Kansas on March 21, 1920. He served in the Navy in WWII as a Boatswain 2nd Class and was stationed in the Pacific on Okinawa. After the war, he worked in purchasing and marketing for MacNamar Steel Co. in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Jim moved his family to Gulfport in 1957 when he and his longtime business partner, Bazil Noble, purchased Irby Steel Company. He was co-owner of Irby Steel until 1969. His other business interests included Cane Boiler Works in Texas and Imperial Steel in Louisiana. He later opened Big Brake Safety Centers of MS with his son Monte and continued as a consultant until his death. Jim was a devout member of St Mark's Episcopal Church and served as Junior and Senior Warden and a vestryman for many years. He was a former member of the Gulfport Elks Lodge and served as carnival krew captain. He served as chairman of the United Way Campaign for Gulfport. As a young man he obtained a private pilot's license and enjoyed recreational flying. In later years he enjoyed traveling with family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 67 years, Mildred L. Savage; and his grandson, Chandler Viator. He is survived by his daughter, Delila (DeAnn) Viator (Gerald); his son, Monte Barrett Savage; his granddaughters, Jessica Savage Jones and Nicole Savage McCool (Jimmy); and three great grandchildren, Eden Bella Jones, Cooper McCool, and Landon McCool. The memorial service will be held Thursday, May 19, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Gulfport. A private graveside service will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 11322 W. Taylor Road, Gulfport, MS 39503 or the Humane Society of South Mississippi, 2615 25th Avenue, Gulfport, MS 39501. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is in charge of arrangements. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com