Charles Richard Sayre Sr.

Charles R “Dick” Sayre, 95 years old, died peacefully in his new home in Watkinsville, Ga. on June 27, 2023. Dick was surrounded by his loving family and caregiver, Ellouise Miller. Dick is survived by his wife of 75 years, Jean Groves Sayre, his three children: Pam (Brian), Nancy Kelley (Michael), and Chuck, his six grandchildren; Matthew Kelley (Allison), Courtney Jones (Blake), Simon and Mellissa Fillmore, Kelly Sinclair (Carson), and Mallory Sayre, and seven great-grandchildren.

Before his recent move to Watkinsville, Jean and Dick resided at Park Springs Senior Community in Stone Mountain, Ga for 17 years. During their time at Park Springs, they made many dear friends with whom they enjoyed celebrating milestone birthdays, holidays, and evening meals in the Pub, which always included Dick’s favorite snack, popcorn. Dick rarely missed his Tuesday golf games at the Stone Mountain Golf Course, and his Tuesday evening poker game where pennies came and went.

Jean and Dick left an equally wonderful life of 38 years in Decatur before moving to Stone Mountain. Their Durand Falls Dr. family, their Emory Presbyterian family, and for Dick, his Druid Hills Country Club family filled their lives and the lives of their children with love and joy. At Druid Hill Country Club, Dick played golf with all ages of players, out played many, and would have been considered an elite golfer at the Club. Most notable was his record of 9 holes in one. Dick was an athlete until his diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease made it difficult for him to hit the ball to his standard, but he enjoyed armchair coaching his grandkids in their golf game.

Dick’s athletic career began as a high school basketball player in Charleston, West Virginia, where he demonstrated the skills that made him a top recruit for many Division 1 schools. Before settling on Virginia Tech, where he was captain and awarded “All State” for Virginia, he signed with the University of Kentucky under legendary coach, Adolph Rupp. Dick continues to be listed as the 39th highest scorer in the history of the school, scoring a total of 1165 points. After college, he turned down the opportunity to try out with the Boston Celtics and instead, began his career with Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. Although basketball and golf were his loves, Dick most recently spoke of his most notable achievement, “I was a pool shark”.

Dick was a quiet man with a gentle smile, deep blue eyes that warmed the hearts of many, and a humble attitude about his successes. He and his brother were raised by their clever and elegant mother, who taught them how to work hard and use their God given talents to make their way in the world. And they did just that. Dick started working for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company after graduating from college, and retired after 37 years. Retirement lasted only a year, before he started a company with a colleague as a manufacturer’s representative. Dick worked hard and played hard. He lived a long and productive life.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.floralhillsfuneral.com for the Sayre family.