Walter Jeffrey Savournin

Walter Jeffrey Savournin, who most recently resided in Hickory, NC, passed away peacefully on January 26, 2025, at the Carolina Caring Hospice House in Newton, NC. He chose to leave during the Eagles' playoff game at 4:20 in the afternoon—a typical and meaningful gesture for him. He was surrounded by his wife, Carol, and his two daughters, Jillian (Savournin) Leslie and Jennifer (Savournin) Milotte

Jeff marched to the beat of his own drum from the moment he was born. At around four years old, he famously ran away from home by climbing a fence while his mother was occupied with his new baby brother. He was later returned home by the local police. This incident foreshadowed his lifelong spirit of adventure and his impatience with confinement.

After enduring the loss of his father at age 15 and a frustrating relationship with formal education, Jeff enlisted in the US Navy at the suggestion of a local Magistrate. Those next 4 years were some of the most meaningful in shaping his work ethic, attitude toward authority, and pride in service. One official Navy review described him as "a great sailor. Always the first one to work and the last to quit - but don't let him off the boat." He was honorably discharged as a Seaman 3rd Class in 1970.

Jeff took great pride and joy in his daughters, never missing a school function or a sports event. In October of 1984, he and Carol met and were married exactly a year later. Combining their families, they became a family of 6 and he became a much-loved and devoted father to Gordon and Andrew. Jeff promised Carol that life with him would never be boring. He told the truth.

After nearly 30 years of operating and owning 5 Dairy Queen stores, Jeff and Carol retired. His "DQ kids" meant the world to him and he worked hard to be a boss they could rely on as a mentor and example. His employees returned year after year and brought relatives and friends into the DQ orbit because it was such a great place to work. 

Jeff was a humble man who could laugh easily at himself. He provided hours of laughter for others with his antics and sometimes sideways approach to perplexing situations. No matter what roadblocks were thrown at him - whether it be with his businesses or the challenge of increasing hearing loss - he would go over, under, around, or through to make what he wanted to happen, happen.

He was perhaps his happiest during the 7 or 8 years he and Carol spent living full-time in their motorhome, traveling the country, and following the good weather. His wardrobe was sourced by the National Park Service gift shops for T-shirts in every location. He was never in one place for long and never bored. He loved having his grandkids join them on the road in the summers and wandering to beautiful places. He loved fishing, spending hours floating down the Clark Fork River in Montana, catching salmon off the Oregon coast or in the San Juan straits near Anacortes, WA. or just sitting with a line in the water near some unnamed creek. He loved the Philadelphia Eagles, whether they won or lost. Go Birds!

He leaves behind his wife, Carol, of almost 40 years, his daughters Jillian (Jason) Leslie, and Jennifer (Damon) Milotte, sons Gordon (Meggan) Lee and Andrew (Leslie Pechta) Lee, his brother Charles Savournin, and 8 wonderful grandchildren; Faith, Hope & Grace Leslie, Madison and Brody Milotte, Anna and Owen Lee and Hazel Lee. 

"It's not going to be the same without Poppop."

Please sign the online guestbook at www.caringcremations.net. The Savournin family has entrusted arrangements to Caring Cremations Life Celebrations and Funerals at 828-855-3350.