He grew up and attended school in several communities before moving to Danube in 1972. He graduated from Danube High School in 1977. He joined the US Navy in January of 1978. While in the Navy he was an Aviation Electronics Technician First Class. He was honorably discharged from the US Navy in January of 1987. He married Sandy Knapper in 1979. They had five children. In 1982 Jeff was initiated into Phi Theta Kappa, Rho Epsilon Chapter Fraternity. He divorced from Sandy in 1990. He married Diane Neale on October 15, 1994. They moved to Dallas, NC.
Jeff loved to spend time with his family and friends. His free time was also spent doing woodworking projects that were gifted to many friends and family. He loved to laugh and loved a good joke. He was a long standing member of the American Legion Post # 0023 in Gastonia, NC.
In addition to his parents, Jeff is preceded in passing by his wife Diane; brothers, Dan and Charlie; infant sister Mary; and brother-in-law, Mike Zupfer.
He is survived by his children from MN, Angela (Josh) Dahl, Joe (Sadie) Savig, Robert (Liz) Savig, and Susy (Tony) Laursen, and from OK, Amanda (Mike) Pilkington; grandchildren, Renee, Archer, Vanessa, Hannah, Jacob, Kayden, Samuel, Gracie and Madison; brothers and sisters, Patricia Mertesdor, Peggy Zupfer of VA, Kim Savig, of Maynard, MN, Dave (Wanda) Savig of Fridley, MN, Chris Savig of Mankato, MN, Andy (Kari) Savig, of Savage, MN and Matt (Michelle) Savig of Willmar, MN; 12 nieces and nephews; special friend, Anita Gay McKinney; and special friends, Rich and Molly Kisby.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org.
A committal service will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, April 23, 2021 at Salisbury National Cemetery.
Condolences may be offered online at www.gastonmemorialpark.com
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