Melvin Ozias Sawyer

Melvin Ozias Sawyer went to be with the Lord on Friday November 10, 2017, at the age of 90. Born in Florence, Texas, on October 28, 1927, Melvin was the son of Elmer and Clara (Daniel) Sawyer. After graduating from Florence High School in 1945, he entered the army and served 8 months in Korea. After moving to Austin in 1948, he began a career in construction work spanning 41 years, which included building numerous commercial structures in and around the Austin area.

On December 10, 1949, he married his sweetheart, Joann Wilson. They were married for almost 68 years at the time of his passing, although they had known each other for 85 years since first meeting at nursery school at the First Baptist Church of Florence.

In 1970, they became faithful members of Crestview Baptist Church in Austin, where he served as a deacon. As an ongoing member of the Building and Grounds committee, his handiwork is evident throughout the church campus. Always an encourager and hard worker, he would quietly seek ways to help others. If you could describe it, he could build it.

For many years, he was an avid water skier, using the boat that he had built himself. During his fifties, he learned to snow ski and enjoyed taking many trips into the mountains of northern New Mexico. He enjoyed being a part of extended family vacations at dude ranches around Bandera, as well as traveling to Colorado, Arkansas, Hawaii and Costa Rica.

He and his wife enjoyed playing games with friends on a regular basis and attending Longhorn football and basketball events. He was a second father and faithful friend to many. His final audible words were: “I had fun all my life.”

Melvin is survived by his wife, Joann of Austin; son, Mark and daughter-in-law, Nancy of Cedar Park; granddaughter, Laci and her husband, Joe Wojnarowski of Leander; grandsons, Cole Sawyer and Jake Sawyer of Cedar Park; great-grandchildren Ava and Elijah Sebring, and Sydney Wojnarowski of Leander; sisters, Doris Sudduth of Georgetown and Margie Peterson of Elgin; as well as many other family members, close friends and long-time neighbors.

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him”. Colossians 3:17

Visitation will be held Tuesday, November 14, 2017 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Colonial Chapel of Cook-Walden Funeral Home. Funeral service will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 15, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at Crestview Baptist Church in Austin, Texas. Interment will follow in Florence Cemetery, Florence, Texas.