Youlon Davinci Savage

To many, Youlon Davinci Savage was "Mr. Community Mental Health." He devoted much of his working life to strong advocacy for locally-based behavioral health services. He was keenly aware that that most of the decisions that affect our lives are made in legislative arenas at the local, state and federal levels. This realization drove him to become a political activist advocating on behalf of people with mental illnesses.

He was born in Memphis, Tennessee on June 16, 1928, and died on December 01, 2021.

After service in the U.S. Army, where he rose to the rank of Captain, he focused on services to the mentally ill during his matriculation at the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work, graduating in 1964. In 1968, after four years with the Denver Department of Human Services, he began his mental health career at Adams Community Mental Health Center. He progressed from therapist to senior therapist, to supervisor, to deputy director.

In 1973 he was recruited by the Colorado Division of Mental Health to coordinate community mental health services across the state. He worked with local communities and the Federal Government to create community mental health centers in those areas of the state that did not have comprehensive community mental health services.

In 1978 he returned to Adams Community Mental Health Center (now Community Reach Center) as Executive Director. He retired in 2001, after 23 years as Executive Director, and some 40 years in the behavioral health field.

Throughout his life, Youlon demonstrated a strong commitment to community service. He believed everyone should give some of their time, resources and skills to voluntary serve in their community. His volunteer activities and affiliations included: Park Hill Action Committee, Big Brothers, School District # 50 School-based Health Center, The Health Advisory Committee of The Denver Foundation, Westminster Rotary Club, The Family Mentoring Program of Mile Hi Church of Religious Science, The Race and Social Justice Work Group, The Board of Visitors and the Advisory Committee on Racial Diversity at the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work, Voter Registration in Denver Public High Schools, and over 19 years on the State Board of Human Services, 10 years as chair. He was the recipient of the 2002 University of Denver Community Service Award.

He created the Youlon D. Savage Endowed Scholarship at the University of Denver, Graduate School of Social Work.

Youlon was an avid skier, tennis player and fisherman. He was a passionate operaphile, and he enjoyed theatre and ballroom dancing. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.

He is survived by two sons, Daryl (Carol) and Derek; two grandsons, Kyle (Emily) and Cameron; five sisters, Hester Besteda, Canary Girardeau, Rosetta Foote, Mary Mitchell, Cecelia Winfield, and a host of nieces, nephews, and other beloved relatives.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, January 17, 2025 at 12:00 PM at Mile Hi Church located at 9077 W. Alameda Avenue, Lakewood, CO.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Mile Hi Church Foundation, 9077 W. Alameda Avenue, Lakewood, Colorado 80226, in Youlon honor.