Obituary for Ricky D. Saffle
Rick D. Saffle, 67, formerly of Broken Arrow, OK, passed away on Independence Day in Black Mountain, NC. Mr. Rick D. Saffle was born in Stillwater, OK.
Rick Saffle went to be with His Lord on the morning of July 4th, 2022 surrounded by his sons, Aaron, Robert, Kirk and his wife Barbara. After spending 5 weeks in the MICU unit at the VA Hospital in Asheville, NC he came home with hospice. As those who knew him well know he battled his disease head-on. Up until 10 months ago he rode his e-assist bike 30 to 40 miles a day. His Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis finally began slowing him down until he required oxygen full time. The last week in May he contracted Covid Pneumonia which combined with the IPF, irreversibly damaged his lungs. We are grieving but rejoicing also. He and his wife Barbara had a precious 48 years together and raised 3 amazing sons. We have the assurance of seeing him again in heaven, he can breathe freely now, and we picture him riding his bike on streets of gold, the wind blowing in his hair! He longed to be remembered as a man loved by Christ.
The evening of his passing on July 4th the family celebrated his ‘Independence Day’ by grilling hamburgers, hot dogs and watching fireworks. Rest easy Ricky D. Until we see you again.
Rick Saffle served honorably in the US Marine Corps for 4 years, then he was a Border Patrol Agent in southern California. He also served as a Police officer in Broken Arrow Oklahoma. Rick was then an owner/operator truck driver and owned a carpet cleaning business before retiring.
He is preceded in death by his father, Eldon Saffle.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Barbara Ridgeway Saffle of Black Mountain, NC; sons, Aaron Saffle of San Diego, CA, Robert Saffle and his wife Lela of Black Mountain, NC, and Kirk Saffle and his wife Kate of Sarasota, FL; mother, Laverne Saffle of Bakersfield, CA; brother, Rodney Saffle of Bakersfield, CA; sister, Ronda Heath of Bakersfield, CA; and grandchildren, Vivienne, Charlotte, Ruby, Edgar and Olive.
The family will receive friends Friday, July 8, 2022 from 6:00 to 7:00pm at Harwood Home for Funerals & Cremation Services and a Celebration of Life Service will immediately follow. Reverend Colby Truesdell, speaker: Jack McMahan, and singers: Kirk Saffle and Rachel McMahan will be officiating.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the MICU team and the Asheville VA Hospital.
Rick Saffle went to be with His Lord on the morning of July 4th, 2022 surrounded by his sons, Aaron, Robert, Kirk and his wife Barbara. After spending 5 weeks in the MICU unit at the VA Hospital in Asheville, NC he came home with hospice. As those who knew him well know he battled his disease head-on. Up until 10 months ago he rode his e-assist bike 30 to 40 miles a day. His Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis finally began slowing him down until he required oxygen full time. The last week in May he contracted Covid Pneumonia which combined with the IPF, irreversibly damaged his lungs. We are grieving but rejoicing also. He and his wife Barbara had a precious 48 years together and raised 3 amazing sons. We have the assurance of seeing him again in heaven, he can breathe freely now, and we picture him riding his bike on streets of gold, the wind blowing in his hair! He longed to be remembered as a man loved by Christ.
The evening of his passing on July 4th the family celebrated his ‘Independence Day’ by grilling hamburgers, hot dogs and watching fireworks. Rest easy Ricky D. Until we see you again.
Rick Saffle served honorably in the US Marine Corps for 4 years, then he was a Border Patrol Agent in southern California. He also served as a Police officer in Broken Arrow Oklahoma. Rick was then an owner/operator truck driver and owned a carpet cleaning business before retiring.
He is preceded in death by his father, Eldon Saffle.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Barbara Ridgeway Saffle of Black Mountain, NC; sons, Aaron Saffle of San Diego, CA, Robert Saffle and his wife Lela of Black Mountain, NC, and Kirk Saffle and his wife Kate of Sarasota, FL; mother, Laverne Saffle of Bakersfield, CA; brother, Rodney Saffle of Bakersfield, CA; sister, Ronda Heath of Bakersfield, CA; and grandchildren, Vivienne, Charlotte, Ruby, Edgar and Olive.
The family will receive friends Friday, July 8, 2022 from 6:00 to 7:00pm at Harwood Home for Funerals & Cremation Services and a Celebration of Life Service will immediately follow. Reverend Colby Truesdell, speaker: Jack McMahan, and singers: Kirk Saffle and Rachel McMahan will be officiating.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the MICU team and the Asheville VA Hospital.