Earl Sawyer
October 3, 1929 — May 23, 2012
Earl W. Sawyer, age 82, of Schertz Texas, passed away on May 23rd, 2012. His beloved wife, the nationally recognized porcelain artist, Sakae Sawyer, preceded him, as did his brothers Jack and Sydney and his sister Nancy. He is survived by his children, Mary Frances Sawyer and James Earl Sawyer (Tamara), three grandchildren, Paden, Aislinn and Shay, his sister Mary Ellen Dross and sister-in-law Veronica Sawyer. Earl was a retired USAF Master Sergeant who served a distinguished career including a stint in the 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing during the Korean War. He joined the service in 1948 and retired in 1969. Earl moved to Schertz in 1963 and upon retirement, he served his community in many ways. Citizens knew him as a knowledgeable person with a strength of character and a passion for leadership. He was elected Mayor of Schertz, serving for 12 years from 1982-1994, during which time the city doubled in size, becoming a model progressive urban area. A Schertz City Councilman for several years, Sawyer also served on the Planning and Zoning, Urban Renewal, City Charter and Historical Commissions, and on the Housing Authority Board. One of his longest and most passionate associations was with the Schertz library, which was connected to his support of youth and their education. He attended the first guiding citizen's meeting in 1977, continuing to work in various capacities, which culminated in serving on the Library Fundraising Committee from 2008 to 2011. Earl was a Founding Father of the Buffalo Valley Youth Association. He was also a strong supporter of the Veterans Memorial Plaza project, serving as a board member. The project is ongoing and estimated to be completed later this year. Earl was a proud member of the Knights of Columbus--becoming a 4th Degree Knight--the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Lions Club and the American Legion. Earl was an avid reader with a diverse appetite for books. He spoke of the value of school teachers as citizens of the city. The Knights of Columbus members knew him as a domino player who conversed and laughed with the best. He was fond of the fruit trees Sakae planted, which he cultivated for many years in his backyard, sharing the harvest with family and friends. Friends, neighbors and family were often the beneficiaries of the skills he acquired in the military and in civil service. He could make or repair just about anything. Most recently Earl had acquired the hobby of canning delicious homemade sauerkraut. His eclectic intellectual pursuits and his creative hobbies made him a sought after companion for his vision, wisdom, and warmth of friendship and character. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 9:00 PM on Sunday May 27th 2012, with a rosary recited at 7:00 PM, at the Schertz Funeral Home, 2217 FM3009. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Monday, May 28th 2012, at Good Shepherd Catholic Church 1065 East Live Oak Road. Interment will follow on June 5th at 9:45 at Fort Sam Houston Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider making a donation to the Schertz Veterans Memorial Plaza, c/o Schertz Bank and Trust 512 Main Street, Schertz, TX 78154. The Veterans Memorial Plaza was a project very dear to Earl's heart. (http://veteransplaza.org/).
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