Mr. John Savko

Mr. John Savko, Jr. of Spartanburg, SC died Friday, January 12, 2018 at White Oak at North Grove. Born March 28, 1920 in Star Junction, PA where he was the son of the late John Savko and Susie Havay Savko. He was the oldest of 13 children.
He attended schools in Kentucky until the age of 16, when he left to work in the coal mines in order to help support his family.
Mr. Savko joined the United States Navy in August of 1941 where he served honorably in World War II. He was a Chief Aviation Machinist’s Mate E. He boarded the USS Calvin Coolidge and set sail for Samoa, then his unit boarded a destroyer and headed toward the Guadalcanal in the South Pacific where he was part of the Carrier Utility Base One (CUB One). The CUB One personnel installed and manned an air-raid warning system in the famous “Pagoda”, the Japanese built control tower. While in the Guadalcanal he battled malaria twice. He served a total of 12 1/2 years in the Navy. After returning home, he worked as a technical advisor for Martin Aircraft Company and later the Daniel Construction Company.
He is predeceased in death by brothers Steve Savko, Nick Savko, George Savko, Michael Savko, Pete Savko and Joseph Savko. As well as his sisters Mary Savko Woomer and Julia Savko Garvey. He is survived by brothers Paul Michael Savko (Margaret) and Henry Savko (Margaret) and sisters Susie Savko Cuthie (Edward) and Margaret Savko Witt (Ralph) and numerous nieces and nephews. He was a kind and gentle presence that will be missed by all.
He was an active member of the Spartanburg Stamp Club and the Spartanburg Model Club. He enjoyed collecting stamps and building models of ships and airplanes. In 2016, Mr. Savko was selected to participate in the Honor Flight to the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C..
The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses at the Spartanburg Medical Center Wound Services and the staff of White Oak at North Grove for their loving care.
A Celebration Of Life will be held Saturday, January 27th, 2018 at 3:00PM at the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Hospice Home, 686 Jeff Davis Drive, Spartanburg, SC 29303.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Spartanburg Soup Kitchen, 136 S. Forest Street, Spartanburg , SC 29306.