Ricky Lynn Savage

Ricky Lynn Savage, 62, of Ballantine, completed his earthly journey on Jan. 4, 2024, after battling pancreatic cancer. At the time of passing, he was surrounded by those who loved him most and was accepted home by “the Guy upstairs he does business with.”

Rick was born to Donna (Trotter) Crider and Norman Savage on April 8, 1961, in Glasgow. He met his soulmate, Michele LaFlamme, after losing a well-fated game of pool in Arizona. They went on to have three children together: Aimee Sorgenfrei (Andrew), Angela Koch (Joshua) and Noah Savage (Samantha). Rick and Michele moved from Southern California to Ballantine in 1992 with Aimee and Angela, with Noah completing the trio in 1996.

In Montana, Rick and Michele built their lives. They lived on a 25-acre farm and have raised nearly every type of farm animal somewhere along the line in the past 32 years. In 2003, Rick established his construction business, which allowed him the freedom to raise his family and create lifelong memories with his wife and children. Then, in 2012, Rick and Michele started their next venture: storage units. They built four buildings with a total of 52 units before Rick retired. While the construction business went into retirement with him, the units will live on as part of Rick’s legacy.

Although he was an incredible craftsman with an eye for detail, Rick’s true passion in life was fishing. His final summer was spent on the boat with his family, truly living his best life. Rick loved to share his knowledge of the sport and was always ready to go when his fishing buddy, John, would call. If you were to ask him about fishing, Rick would get a smirk on his face, then enthusiastically tell you lies about being on the water and catching the biggest fish. There was always a story to tell and he was happy to oblige, giving every made-up detail along the way.

In 2016, Rick and Michele welcomed their first grandchild, Emry (Angela and Joshua) and that’s when Rick took on his most prized title: Grumpy. He was soon joined by Lyndin in 2019 and Bensyn (Aimee and Andrew) in 2021. If there’s anything he was made to do, it was to be a Grumpy. Some of Rick’s favorite activities were pulling the grandkids on the tube behind the boat, sharing his chocolate bars, and letting them raid his pockets for change to put in their piggy banks.

While others are great at collecting things, Rick was especially talented when it came to collecting family. He was a man who never knew a stranger and greeted everyone with open arms. His friends became an extension of his family and, because of that, he acquired many brothers, sisters, daughters, sons and grandchildren through his years. Rick shared his wisdom and life lessons to help guide others through their own challenges, which made him a strong role model and patriarch.

One of Rick’s greatest accomplishments in life was getting sober. In October 2023, he earned his 33-year sobriety chip and it was something he was incredibly proud of. Rick not only found friends, he built an extended family in the AA community. He mentored many people through their recovery journey and was able to have a positive impact on those who shared the same struggles.

Rick is preceded in death by his beloved grandmother, Mary Rose Trotter-Bentley; his grandfather, Earl Trotter; his father, Norman Savage; and his sister, Patti (Crider) Paiso. He was welcomed at the gates of Heaven by his best dog, Benjamin.

A rosary will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2, Sts. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in Ballantine.

Services for Ricky Lynn Savage will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, at St. Bernard’s Parish in Billings. The family asks that you please make donations towards Rick’s headstone in lieu of flowers. Cash and check donations will be collected at the service; electronic donations can be made through Venmo.

Condolences may be made at www.michelottisawyers.com.