After a long and courageous battle with cancer, Andrew Andy F. Savage Jr. passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 23, 2007, at Kadlec Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family. Andy was born on April 23, 1943, in San Diego, California, to Andrew F. Doc Savage Sr. and Ruth L. Pugh. His early years were spent in Yakima, Washington, until the family moved to the Seattle area where he graduated from Edmonds High School. He returned to San Diego to spend time with his dad and learn the construction trade. He was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers and his trade took him all over the Northwest. He finally settled in Kennewick in the early '80s. His skills as an operator and his fun-loving personality were well known, his co-workers referred to him as the 'King.' Andy retired at the age of 58 from Sharpe and Preszler Construction. Andy never could sit still and he always had to be doing something. He had several great passions, He loved to race first drag racing, then stock cars. His happiest times were when he was working in his garage, building a race car and one or more of his sons or brothers were working with him. He was an awesome racer to watch and had many trophies and championships to prove it. If he wasn't building a race car for himself or one of his 'boys,' he was building model airplanes or helicopters. He could get himself lost in fun flying those things. He also took his Gold Wing motorcycle out every chance he could. He went as far as to reconstruct a dog kennel so that he could take his best friend, Spooky, with him. Andy loved to make people laugh. His attitude was always upbeat and happy even during his illness. He had a great sense of humor and loved to tell jokes. Although most of the time, when he retold the joke, he'd mess up the punch line, which made it that much funnier. We all feel so very fortunate that Andy was able to do everything he set out to do before he got too sick. He vacationed with his dearest friend, Evelyn, and saw the places he wanted to see. He spent hours of quality time with his children, grandchildren, nephews, nieces and the rest of the family. Andy was generous, loving and kind, always taking the time to do something for others. He was the solid foundation and patriarch of our family: father, grandfather, big brother and uncle, always planning BBQs at grandma's and playing with all the grandkids and nieces and nephews. Andy was preceded in death by his brother, Stanley Savage; his parents Andrew F. Savage Sr. and Ruth L. Petty; his wife, Vi Savage; his grandparents and several aunts and uncles. He is survived by his children Andy Savage III and wife Chris of Spokane; Ken Savage of Seattle; Brad Savage and MaryAnn of Kennewick; Mike Savage and wife Delanya, of Kennewick; his stepdaughter, Roxanne Berger and husband, Ted and his stepson, Rocky Allessio of Kennewick; 14 grandchildren; one great-grandson; his sister Nancy Downey and husband Gordon; his brother Ken Kirby and wife Cyndi; his brother Bob Kirby and his wife Karen; and his very special lady, Evelyn Naillon. Also several nieces and nephews, and his favorite companions, Jasper, Casper and especially Spooky. Andy's loss leaves a void in our family that will never be filled. He's left us all with his gifts of humor, dignity, integrity, compassion, generosity and love. He knows how much he will be missed an, as he did in life, he will continue to do, and that is to watch over us. We love you Andy, you will always be 'Our Hero.' Graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, June 29, 2007 at Riverview Heights Cemetery in Kennewick. Friends are invited to an open house to celebrate Andy's life at his home in Kennewick, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Be prepared to tell your tall tales and stories. In lieu of flowers, please make charitable donation to the Tri-City Cancer Center or March of Dimes. 'Bench Racin' won't quite be the same, but we'll still do it! Got R Done Bye Bye