Michael Eldwood Sawyer

Michael was born in Portsmouth, VA to Grandy and Melva Sawyer on January 13, 1957. He grew up in Fort Myers Beach, Florida before enlisting in the United States Army on May 23, 1978. Michael married the love of his life Diane Elisabeth Cates on April 30, 1980 in Mannheim, Germany. He proudly served 22 years in the US Army, where he was stationed in Germany, Colorado, Texas, and Mississippi, where he proudly taught Military Science and ROTC at Mississippi State University. He was highly recognized for his service, which includes two Meritorious Service Medals, Expert Marksmanship for shooting a perfect 10/10 in gunnery, and Army Commendation Medal, before retiring as a Master Sergeant at Fort Carson, Colorado. Upon retirement, Michael continued to work as a store manager for Lowe's Home Improvement and Loomis armored security. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather that enjoyed the outdoors and traveling around the country in his RV with his wife Diane, and their two dogs, Trubble and Izzy.

Michael was preceded in death by his father, Grandy Sawyer; father-in-law Jerry Cates and mother-in-law Monika Cates; and sister-in-law Helen Briggs.

Michael is survived by his spouse, Diane Sawyer; daughter Carolyn Graham and Stephen Graham; son Brian Sawyer and Lorraine Sawyer; mother Melva Sawyer and David Critchell; sister Nancy Perkins and Jim Perkins; grandchildren Alexandra, Derek, Victoria, Elijah, Josiah, Miccah, and Sarriah; Sister-In-Laws Deborah Tanner and Geraldine Jackson; nieces Audra Taliaferro, Brianna Tanner, and Monika Tanner; nephews Christopher Cates, Bernie Briggs, and Beau Briggs; and baby Bernadette Tanner.

Memorial services will be held at Swan-Law Funeral Home 501 North Cascade Ave, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903 on Sunday, December 17, 2017 at 1:00pm.

In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Disabled American Veterans Association Chapter 50 of Colorado Springs or The American Cancer Society.