Obituary: Lester Sawyer

Lester Sawyer, age 94, formerly of Oak Ridge, passed away Monday, June 23, 2014, at Ben Atchley State Veterans Home in Knoxville, where he was a resident.

He was born November 16, 1919, in Fontana, North Carolina, the son of Albert T. Sawyer and Katherine Cable Sawyer.

Mr. Sawyer was a member of the Civilian Conversation Corp and a veteran of World War II, serving with the U.S. Navy. He retired from the U.S. Department of Energy, where he was an inspector with Quality Assurance. He was a longtime member of Central Baptist Church. Mr. Sawyer was an avid recreational walker, gardener, and hunter. He loved fishing throughout his life and passed this interest to his survivors.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by siblings, Earl Sawyer, Edna Garland, and Vida Crisp and his wife, Margaret Lucille Coffey Sawyer, on March 31, 1999.

He is survived by his son, Gary Sawyer and wife Beverly Spangler Sawyer of Venice, Florida; daughter, Kathy Napier of Knoxville; sisters, Thelma Esler of Gastonia, North Carolina, and Joyce Harden and husband A.V. of Andrews, North Carolina; sister-in-law, Alma Fair of Andrews, North Carolina; four grandchildren, Chris Sawyer and wife Brandi of Charleston, South Carolina, Kevin Sawyer and wife Laura of Alexandria, Virginia, Holly Springer and husband Josh of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Wesley Napier of Chattanooga; and five great-grandchildren, Dillon, Maci, Kylie, Tyler, and Logan.

The family received friends on Friday, June 27, 2014, from 1–2 p.m. at Weatherford Mortuary. The funeral began at 2 p.m. with Rev. Glenn Ellis officiating. The burial followed at Oak Ridge Memorial Park.

The family asks that any memorials be made in his memory to Keystone Elder Care, c/o First United Methodist Church, 1350 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, or to Alzheimer’s TN, PO Box 10088, Knoxville, TN 37939-9910. An online guest book can be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com.