Larry Sawyer (Bolivar)'s Obituary
Larry Wayne Sawyer, 70, passed away peacefully on June 1st, 2019 in his home surrounded by his family. Larry was born on May 17, 1949 at Humansville Hospital to Robert Earnest and Blanche Sawyer. Larry attended Fair Play School and graduated in 1967. On July 28, 1968 he married the love of his life, Sharon (Fink) and to this couple three children were born: Teressa Lynn (Terri), Brian Dean and Kevin Wayne.
Larry was raised west of Fair Play in the Bear Creek area on the family farm and could been seen many times riding his horse to school. Upon graduation from Fair Play school in 1967, Larry was drafted by the Army at the age of 18 and stationed in West Berlin. While stationed in Germany, Larry was in the Infantry Division where he was NCO of the ammunition dump. He would talk about guarding Rudolf Hess, a leading member of Hitler’s Nazi party, at the Spandau prison. Larry was honorably discharged February 11, 1971 with an E5 rank as Sergeant.
After discharge from the Army, he returned home to Fair Play and worked as a builder for his Father-in-law, LaVerne Fink with Lakeland Plumbing. Larry eventually became involved in the propane business and started Sawyer Propane in 1973 until it was sold to Uregas. He stayed on as manager for many years. Larry then took a job driving a semi to Kansas City and back daily hauling sand for a local concrete company. He enjoyed driving the semi while talking on the CB to other truckers. Larry then went to work for Polk County Road and Bridge department before starting the Country Classics Antique Mall in 1999 which they operated until retirement due to health issues.
Larry and Sharon celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2018 and have always lived in the Fair Play/Bolivar area while raising their children in the Fair Play School system. He was active in Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association and was a proud Fair Play Hornet. You found him at many sporting events cheering on his children. Hobbies include hunting with his sons, fishing with his family and friends, and playing card games. Larry was baptized at the age of 11 and was a member of the Fair Play First Baptist Church.
Larry is preceded in death by this Father (Robert Earnest Sawyer), Mother (Blanche Fisher Sawyer Hutchins), Brothers (James and Robert) and Son (Brian).
Larry leaves behind his Wife Sharon of the home, Daughter Terri Rash and fiancé Mike Masters of Ozark, Son Kevin Sawyer and wife Kayla of Humansville; grandchildren, Cody Rash and wife Bailey of Oklahoma, MaKayla Rash of Ozark, Wylee and Nora Sawyer of Humansville; a sister, Dorothy Lee Hamlin and husband Jerry of Springfield, sister-in-law Dorothy Sawyer of Bolivar and several nieces and nephews.
Larry will be laid to rest in Greenwood Cemetery in Bolivar next to his son Brian. Services will be held 1:00 PM Tuesday, June 4, 2019 at the Butler Funeral Home of Bolivar, MO. Visitation will be held 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Monday, June 3, 2019 at the Butler Funeral Home. Service will be officiated by James Thomas and David Stunkel. Pallbearers will be Leigan Whitson, Dean Ponder, Jerry Sukovaty, Ryan Curry, Mike Wood, Randy Scott, Scott Lang and Rick Bays. Honorary Pallbearers will be the 1967 Class of Fair Play High School
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