Frank Edward Savage passed away unexpectedly on June 13th, in Stockton, California. He was born on August 28th, 1964, in Montpelier, Idaho, to proud parents Norman and Victoria Savage. The family moved to Susanville in 1966, and Frank attended local schools and graduated from Lassen High School in 1982.
Frank’s passion for being a cowboy started on the Satica Ranch when he was a young boy. He would get rides from his uncle Benito so he could go to the ranch and help with ranch chores.
Frank was part of many brandings and cattle drives at the Satica Ranch while growing up. While he was still in high school, he started working for Larry and Zeta Hansen at the Horse Lake Ranch where Cousin Bob Satica worked. That was the start of a lifelong, close relationship between Bob (AKA Chuck) and Frank. After high school, Frank buckarooed at several ranches including, Swickard’s 5 Dot, Smoke Creek and the Jack Estill Ranch in Likely. After discovering he loved the work but not the pay, Frank looked for other job opportunities. He went to Texas to train cutting horses in the Dallas/Ft.Worth area. After a year or so in Texas, he decided to come back to California. He started working in construction in the Sacramento/Elk Grove area.
By 1996, Frank obtained his General Contractor’s license and started Smoke Creek Construction as a side business. He met Joe and Cindy Alexander in the early 90s and discovered the town of Loma Rica and the Alexander Ranch. Joe and Cindy became second parents to Frank, and he started his residency on the Alexander Ranch with his “mobile condo” fifth wheel trailer. Loma Rica gave Frank an opportunity to get back into the cowboy lifestyle he loved so much. He helped Joe with his cows and spent some quality time on Table Mountain working cattle. Frank bought some of his own cattle and established Savage Livestock in 1994 and built up his herd over the years. He met new friends Dean Spinelli, Travis Jackson, Mark Brum and Jay Wagner during this time, and they became best friends enjoying chasing cows on the weekend as they all had full-time jobs.
As Frank continued his work in the construction field, he became Project Manager for BRCO Contractors in 2010 and remained in that position until 2013. In July of 2013, Frank embarked on a new adventure. He left Loma Rica and took a job as Ranch Manager for Farmland LP in Burns California where he worked until the time of his death. This was Frank’s “feeding America” stage of his life. He was instrumental in bringing a commonsense approach to organic, regenerative agriculture to Farmland LP. He was featured on “Fridays on the Farm with Frank” video clips over the last year and became a bit of a social influencer. He helped Farmland LP become one of the most successful organic and regenerative agriculture companies in the US.
Frank is survived by his girlfriend, Soraya Taylor (niece, Makayla Taylor) Stockton, CA. Brother, Albert Savage (Sheila), Alturas, CA. Nephews: Kaleb Savage (Mako), Anchorage, AK., Donovan Savage (Jasmine), Phoenix, AZ., Aunts: Norma Garate, Susanville, CA., Dolly Pratt, Alturas, CA., Sharon Vadnais, Kilgore, ID., Uncle: Norbert Cordoba (Pam), Susanville CA., and numerous cousins and friends.
A Celebration of Life is planned for September 13th, in Susanville at the Satica Ranch. Frank will be missed dearly but never forgotten.
