Born in Blanco, Indian Territory (now Oklahoma), Savage received an Artium Baccalaureus degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1925, and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Oklahoma College of Law in 1927.

[1] Savage was nominated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on September 24, 1940, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma vacated by Judge Franklin Elmore Kennamer.

He was confirmed by the United States Senate on September 27, 1940, and received his commission on October 1, 1940.

His service terminated on October 31, 1961, due to his resignation.

[1] After his resignation from the federal bench, Savage was General Counsel for Gulf Oil Corporation from 1961 to 1969, and returned afterward to private practice in Tulsa.