George A. Sawyer, age 94, died Monday, March 14, 2011 at Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville, AR.
George was born January 24, 1917 in Fenwood, WI, son of the late Albert and Elizabeth (Nelson) Sawyer. He was number 13 out of 14 children, all who predeceased him. On August 6, 1939 he married Vera Iris Kennedy in Wausau, WI. They moved to Adams on Nov. 1, 1947. On Nov. 10, 1984, they retired to Rogers, AR. They celebrated their 71st anniversary this past August. He served our country in the United States Navy during World War II as a Radar Operator. He left the Navy with an honorable discharge in Jan. 1946. He was extremely proud of his years of service for his country. He was a member of the VFW, American Legion, Chamber of Commerce, and on the Congregational Church board. He became a barber in 1947 and eventually became the owner of Sawyers Barber Shop in Adams. It was a career he loved for 30 years. He also served as City Clerk for 30 years, first parttime and then full-time. In 1984, George and Vera moved to Rogers, AR, where they enjoyed their retirement. He loved music, dancing, and most of all gardening. In his younger years, he played softball and baseball and went ice skating, roller skating, and bowling. He enjoyed watching sports of any kind, especially the Green Bay Packers.
George was a great storyteller and was loved by all who knew him.
Survivors include his wife, Vera of Bentonville, AR; children: Barbara (Dominic) Carini of Appleton, WI, Ginger (Ron) Rees of Bentonville, AR, and Joy (Luther) Black of Rogers, AR; five grandchildren: Aaron (Michelle) Black of Springdale, AR, Barbara (Hide) Tada of Cottage Grove, Or, Michelle (Paul) Loebbaka of Appleton, WI, Adams (Angie) Black of Rogers, AR, and Jennifer Rees of Bentonville, AR; nine great- grandchildren: Brenden, Spencer and Tyler Loebbaka, Taylor Gore and Alex Black, Maya and Zoe Black, Lilliana Rees, and Sofia Tada.
In lieu of flowers,memorials may be directed to Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Rd., Springdale, AR 72762.
A memorial service will be at 3:00 p.m. on Sat., June 11, 2011 at Roseberrys. Interment will follow at Mt. Repose Cemetery in Friendship. Graveside Military honors will be presented by the Adams County Honor Guard.
Friends may call at Roseberry’s Funeral Home on Saturday from 2:00 p.m. until the time of service.
Prayers for all of the Sawyer family. What a marvelous long life! He was blessed, as are we for the memories.
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Sorry for your loss. The Sawyer Barber shop was the center point of life in Adams in the 1950’s. Anyone that was there will remember George forever!
My condolences to George’s family and especially to my classmates, Joy & Luther. George was a kind man that I have appreciated for many a year, probably giving me my first haircut. I know I received many from him and Tom and the memories are entrenched in time. May he rest in peace! Also, the Sawyers were most kind to my wife’s family as she grew up and visited her grandparents who were neighbors. Thanks for all the generousity and memories. Bob & Alet
GEORGE – Thanks for the great stories while giving haircuts – you were good at both. BUT MOST OF ALL THE GREAT LOVE YOU SHOWED TOWARDS YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS.
GEORGE’S Family – Memories will never cease for anyone who knew him! God be with you all!!
The Sawyer Family. I am sorry for your loss, but Mr. Sawyer left many generations of people in Adams Co. with fond memories of their youth. I still recall the Sawyer’s Barbershop, where many of the old timers would tell their stories, while us little kids listened intently, and got their much-looked-forward-to haircut on a monthly basis, followed by some delicious candy. There was always something to look at in his barbershop, from the snake in the front to the pictures on the walls, coupled with the sounds and smells of the old-time barbershop. We even went trick or treating there. Thanks for the memories, Mr. Sawyer. Rest in Peace.
Barbara and Mrs. Saywer– so sorry to here of George’s passing. He was the best, story teller, and barber!!!
Vera, Barb, Ginger and Joy, am so sorry to hear of Geogrge’s passing. He was a great friend of my parents and I’m proud to have known him. Will keep all in my thoughts and prayers. John
My Mom has many stories to tell of George and Vera being neighbors to my grandparents. My sympathy in the loss of George. May the love of family and friends comfort you at this time.
Aaron and family – Sorry to hear of your grandfather’s passing. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
He came from a good place to a better place in Arkansas and now he is in the Best Place in Heaven. I knew him for a short time… I enjoyed his stories and respected his honesty. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.