Garth Savage

Garth David Savage, 55, of Arlington, Texas, passed away on July 17, 2025. A devoted husband, loving father, dutiful son and brother, loyal friend, and respected public servant, Garth lived a life full of passion, service, laughter, and generosity.

Born on June 8, 1970, Garth grew up in Kingwood, Texas, where he developed his lifelong love for sports, music, and mischief. He graduated from Kingwood High School and went on to attend Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University), earning a degree in Criminal Justice.

After graduating from the APD academy in 1995, Garth dedicated 30 years to serving with honor and integrity in the Arlington Police Department, where he made a lasting impact on his fellow officers and the community he loved.  His love for teaching led him to be a mentor to rookie officers and new detectives throughout his career. He was recognized for these qualities by several prestigious awards. In 2012, he was awarded the Alliance for Children's Teams Excellence Award. In 2013 he received the Partners in Courage Award for the State of Texas. This award was given for being the most outstanding crimes against children's detective in the state of Texas. He was named Overall Officer of the Year in 2018 and was a recipient of the Texas Rangers Stadium Award - distinctions he accepted with humility and grace. Garth also served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, proudly and faithfully serving his country.

Garth had a deep passion for helping others, especially the most vulnerable. As a detective for Alliance for Children, he worked tirelessly to protect children from abuse through compassionate and collaborative investigations - a role that perfectly reflected his servant's heart.

Outside of work, Garth lived life to the fullest. He was a foodie with an adventurous palate, never seen without a bottle of hot sauce nearby. He loved to travel, especially with his beloved wife, Trisha. Garth and Trisha had recently started traveling abroad. Paris held a special place in his heart. He was captivated by the food, the art, the museums, and the memories they shared together. Garth also had a soft spot for the mountains and cherished skiing trips to Angel Fire, New Mexico and various resorts in Colorado with family and friends.

Garth had a deep love for music. He especially loved the blues, Texas country, but loved all music, old and new. He collected guitars that were as much art as instruments. His man cave reflected his eclectic tastes and his creative soul, and you would find him there in his favorite chair ending his day with SportsCenter. He also loved literature and was a fan of non-fiction. He wanted to write a book one day. He also had a love for classic literature like Hemingway and Kurt Vonnegut, but also loved reading Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein to his girls when they were younger. Garth was funny, sometimes wildly hilarious, and always the life of the party. He was inventive, witty, and would leave you crying with laughter on many occasions. He had a magnetic personality and never met a stranger. He loved coaching his daughters' soccer teams, watching and quoting Smokey and the Bandit all while sporting his favorite cargo shorts. He was an amazing storyteller, a gifted writer, and a thoughtful gift-giver. He was the kind of person who made you feel seen, heard, and loved.

Above all else, Garth cherished his family. He married the love of his life, Trisha Savage, on November 11, 1995. Together, they built a life filled with love, laughter, and adventure. He was endlessly proud of their daughters, Paige and Hannah, and poured his heart into raising them with strength, wisdom, and warmth. He would do anything for his family, was an attentive and loving husband and always present father. His family remembers him as generous, selfless, and fiercely loyal. He was a man who listened deeply and showed up consistently, without seeking praise.

Garth is preceded in death by his father, Donald Savage. He is survived by his wife, Trisha Savage; daughters Paige Savage and Hannah Savage; mother Connie Savage; sister Betsy Shaw and her husband Blane; niece Reagan and nephew Brady; brothers-in-law Tim Tuley (Pam); nephew Matthew and nieces Megan and Madison; Will Tuley (Katie); James Tuley. His is mother-in-law Barb Tuley; father-in-law Bruce Tuley.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 28, 2025, at Rush Creek Church - Green Oaks Campus.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations in Garth's memory to two causes close to his heart:Alliance for Children of Tarrant County - www.allianceforchildren.orgTunnels to Towers Foundation - www.t2t.org

Garth lived with intention, served with humility, and loved without reservation. His legacy will live on in the lives he touched - and in the stories, laughter, and memories he leaves behind.