Dates
Richard Brynolff Saari, 78, passed away on January 27, 2024 after a long battle with dementia and COPD. Rick was born October 7, 1945, to John K. Saari and Lorna Jo Saari. He grew up in Abernathy, Texas and graduated from Monterey High School in Lubbock, Texas in 1964 where he was captain of the football team.
He attended Texas Tech in Lubbock, and later graduated from New Mexico State University in Las Cruces where he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. For the next 40 years he was a partner in the family business Big Jack and Son in Las Cruces, selling and servicing major home appliances.
He enjoyed spending time with family and friends boating and fishing at Elephant Butte Lake as well as the Texas Gulf and Lake Superior in Michigan.
In 1991, he was reunited with his high school sweetheart, Susan Clinton Barrett of Ft. Collins, Colorado. They were married in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. For the next 14 years they lived in Las Cruces and upon retirement they returned to their Texas roots and settled in San Angelo where Rick worked for Town and Country (Stripes) for five years. He was named employee of the year in 2008 and then retired a second time in 2020.
During his retirement years, he and Susan enjoyed traveling all over Texas as well as Colorado, Washington, Florida, and Hawaii.
Rick was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Joe Saari, and his daughter Heather Saari, all of Las Cruces. As well as his little Deanie a spirited and much loved Jack Russell Terrier of 17 years.
Rick is survived by his wife Susan of San Angelo, his bothers John Saari of Canyon Lake, Texas and Chuck Saari of Las Cruces, New Mexico as well as nieces and nephews.
The family wants to thank the kind caring people of Concho Hearts Hospice, Gentiva Hospice and Regency House.
At Rick’s request, there will be no funeral services. A private family gathering and memorial will take place at a later date to scatter his cremated remains in San Angelo.