Harold W. Sawyer

Harold Wayne Sawyer, 88 Sept 12, 1928-June 18, 2017 Harold was born in Hamilton, Texas to Tom Carl Sawyer and Lillie (McNeil) Sawyer of Evant, Texas. Lillie passed away in 1932, so Harold was raised by his dad, Tom Carl, and aunt Anna Sawyer who gave him a loving Christian foundation. Harold graduated high school at Evant, Texas and entered Tarleton College, Stephenville, TX at age 16, transferring to Texas Tech, Lubbock, TX where he graduated in 1950 with a BS degree in Dairy Manufacturing. Harold worked for Bordens Dairy in Dallas, TX until he entered the Army in 1951. He attended OCS, then flight school, served in Japan and Korea. He flew several different light aircraft, transporting mail, photographing the DMZ, ferrying aircraft between Korea and Japan. He also shuttled army personnel including General Westmoreland, and was discharged in 1954 as a First Lieutenant. Harold returned to Evant, TX where he married Nelda Grace (Gracie) Faubion on June 9, 1954. His career in sales with Klenzade Products, where he acquired stock ownership, took Harold, Gracie and three daughters, Cindy, Laurie and Linda from Oklahoma City, Dallas, and finally to St Paul, MN. Harold retired from EcoLab (Klenzade) in 1979. Harold and Gracie then moved back to Oklahoma where they became partners in Cooper Wholesale, Inc. in Pryor, OK for the next 15 years. Harold and Gracie spent retirement traveling the country in their RV, and later several trips abroad. They moved to Owasso, OK in 2004 where they attended the First Baptist Church, then to Covenant Place Senior Living in Bixby, OK in 2015. Harold, an extremely private man, was very charitable, generous and humble. He was on the board of the Womens' Shelter in Pryor, OK, a member of several Baptist Church choirs and was always lending a hand to family and friends. His family was most important to him, playing golf, fishing and traveling with grandkids. He loved aircraft and enjoyed visiting many air museums throughout the country. Harold is survived by his wife of 63 years (Gracie), daughters Cindy (Frank) Schmidt of Iowa City, IA, Laurie (Ron) Carlson of Motley, MN and Linda (Alan) Hilsheimer of Owasso, OK, grandchildren Anna (Andrew) Averbeck, Geoffrey Carlson, Austin and Molly Quast, Cole and Emma Hilsheimer and three great grandchildren Aria and Avery Averbeck and Raegan Carlson. The family will hold a private memorial. Harold courageously battled cancer five times during the last 15 years. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be donated to the Oklahoma Cancer Specialist Care Fund through Tulsa Community Foundation at: 7030 S Yale, Suite 600, Tulsa, OK 74136, Or TulsaCF.org

Harold W. Sawyer

September 12, 1928 - June 18, 2017