Mauri Saari

Mauri Saari died of natural causes at his home in Mineral Wells on November 8, 2014. Born September 20, 1920 in Crosby-Ironton, Minnesota, of Finnish immigrants, he was 94 years old.As a boy, Mauri fell in love with the lakes and forests of Minnesota and spent almost all his spare time hunting and fishingan avocation that became a lifelong passion. Even into his late 80's he made yearly pilgrimages to Minnesota to reconnect with old fishing buddies. And in between, he made ample work of the fish in local lakes and streams here in North Texas.As a boy, when he wasn't hunting and fishing, Mauriinspired by Western moviesdreamed of "going out west to be a cowboy."In high school, Mauri led his team to the Minnesota State Basketball Championship Tournament in Minneapolis. This was quite an accomplishment for a team from a town as small as Crosby, which had to compete against teams from city schools as much as 10 times its size. He never lost his basketball touch and regularly beat his sons at hoops even after they became adults.When World War II broke out, Mauri joined the Marines and became a pilot, which after hunting and fishing was his prime interest in life. During the war, he saw action in the Solomon Islands, flying off carriersthe part of flying which required the most skill and courage. Later he flew helicopters in Korea. After retiring from the service, Mauri pursued his aviation career, eventually landing a job at what was then known as Camp Wolters near Mineral Wells. There he worked for Southern Airways, teaching Army student pilots the finer points of helicopter aviation. Though no longer on active duty, he continued to serve his country as a member of the National Guard, finally retiring after many years with the rank of major.When Wolters was closed, Mauri went to Isfahan, Iran for Bell Helicopter to train Iranian army cadets to fly. He was there before and during the Islamic Revolution led by Aytollah Khomeini. He told his children fascinating stories of his time in Iran and of finally being evacuated on one of the last planes out while 15-year-old revolutionaries pointed guns at him and the other Americans.After Iran, Mauri flew helicopters to off-shore oil rigs in Nigeria. It was hard work and a grueling commute back and forth from Texas, but he relished the chance to keep flying.In retirement, Mauri fished and hunted of course, but he also stayed close to his children and wife. Always quite handy, he did all his own work around the house, fixed and overhauled his cars, and even built a sailboat. At one point, he took a building skills course, which he put to good use helping his oldest son improve his house in California.Mauri's plans for an easy retirement were abruptly interrupted when his wife, Normawho most people knew as Birdiedeveloped Alzheimers Disease. He spent most of the next 20 years caring lovingly for her at home without hesitation or complaint. For people who knew him as a somewhat stoic Finn, it might almost have come as a shock if they had seen how on his and Birdie's 50th Wedding Anniversary, he baked a cake, put on the 40s Swing music they so loved when they were courting, and spoke lovingly and soothingly to her while he paged through the photo album of their wedding.Mauri was preceded in death by his wife Norma Louise (Birdie) Saari (nee May); parents Lempi and Victor Saari; and his sister, Miriam. He is survived by his five children: Chris, Maurine, Geoff, Jody, and Don.The family would like to express special gratitude to Irene Carvajal, who lovingly cared for Mr. Saari in his decline after doing the same for Birdie during many years of selfless service. We also feel tremendous gratitude for his and Birdie's other caregivers, especially Linda Gonzales Moreno and Loretta Porter.A visitation for Mauri will be held on Saturday starting at noon at Baum-Carlock-Bumgardner Funeral Home in Mineral Wells. A memorial service follows at 2:00 p.m.