Thomas Allen Sawyer Sr.

Thomas Allen Sawyer, a resident of Gresham, Oregon died on July 21, 2011 in Gresham. He was 72 years of age.

Tom was born on September 9, 1938 in Litchfield, Illinois and was the son of Roy and Virginia (Spencer) Sawyer. He grew up in Illinois, California and Alaska where he attended high school. On February 3, 1956, Tom enlisted in the United States Marine Corp in Kodiak, Alaska. He received an honorable discharge on April 29, 1959 at the rank of Lance Corporal. He later served as a First Lieutenant in the United States Army receiving an honorable discharge 1970 after service in Vietnam

After the Marine Corp, Tom moved with his buddy to Oregon. On April 30, 1960 he married Janice Newman in Portland and they had two sons. They resided in Gresham and Tom worked as a Deputy Sherriff for Multnomah County retiring in 1977.

He was a member of the Gateway Elks Lodge, the Gateway Masonic Lodge; the Shriner’s and was a member of the Scottish Rite. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, riding motorcycles and traveling. He also loved being “Grandpa.”

He is survived by his wife, Janice of Gresham, sons; Thomas A. (wife, Christine) Sawyer Jr. of California and James Sawyer of Washington along with five grandchildren, Paige, Brooke, Megan, Thomas III and Matthew.

A service with military honors will be held on Wednesday, July 27, 2011 at 1:30 pm at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon. Visitation will be on Tuesday, July 26, 2011 from 10:00 am -5:00 pm at Bateman Carroll Funeral Home. Contributions may be made in memorial of Tom to Operation Home Front. Please visit www.batemancarrollfunerals.com for more information.