Christopher Charles Sawyer

Christopher C. Sawyer, Gone but Never Forgotten

Chris was born in Fresno, CA. His family moved to Bakersfield, CA, Oakhurst, CA and then settled in Ukiah.  As a child, Chris was an avid reader, the original computer geek, elementary school soccer goalie, Yosemite High School football player, and talented artist of print and painting at Ukiah High School. In 1992, Chris married his former spouse, Maya Newton, and they welcomed children Sebastian in 1994 and Shannon in 1998.

Chris used his creative and charismatic talents in many career and life endeavors. Chris was a lover of life, art, music, food, fine wine, golf, Giants baseball, the fantasy world of Tolkien, and storytelling of Dungeons and Dragons, among many other interests making for lively conversation. In the game of D&D as in real life, Chris was the Bard in the Room, the Jack of All Trades, the Charismatic Rogue.

Chris never met a stranger in his life. He had many career paths from punk band manager, to printing press manager, and would boast about his inventory skills and ability to get stuff done. Chris loved and emulated art across many genres from 19^th century impressionism including Van Gogh and Monet seen in his painted canvases in that style (some lovingly unfinished), to The Far Side, and the existential Opus the Penguin in the Bloom County comics oft seen in his sketchbooks.

Music was a way for Chris to process and celebrate the complexity of the world, and he loved sharing that experience with friends and family. He was proud of his vinyl collection and loved going to live shows.

Chris’ relationship with food was one of a Sawyer. Whilst consuming food, planning and scheming for the wonders of future meals was discussed. If you know a Sawyer, you’ve witnessed it. For many years, Chris would try to coax the family recipe spaghetti sauce (AKA Secret Sauce) from his father. After many years of tinkering with the recipe, Chris perfected his own “Sawyer Chili”, Bolognese style that will live on in family lore and goes ridiculously well with fine wine. Chris had damn great taste.

Many know Chris from his Reno Metropolitan Golf Association involvement. Chris loved golf, as a young adult idealizing Kelly green Ireland of his grandfather Jack Hagerty, and later in life taking golf to become part of his identity. It is even rumored that he won $13,500,000 in an MGA tournament, although the check remains uncashed. Chris would egg on the competition in softball, golf, family skeet shooting rounds for dishes, or poker games with a huge smile and twinkle in his eye, and the friendliest disposition. No matter who won, it would end in a sincere bear hug of respect and mutual adoration.

He is survived by his two beloved children Sebastian and Shannon Sawyer, his brothers Patrick Sawyer (Alexis) of Bakersfield, CA and Charley Sawyer (Monique) of Ukiah, CA, his sister April Mott-Sawyer (David) of Missoula, MT, his mother Donna Sawyer of Bakersfield, CA, his father Charlie Sawyer and Step-mother Nancy Sawyer, of Ukiah, CA, his nieces and nephews, Mackenzie, Micah, and Kennedy Sawyer, Wolfram and Islay Mott, and Benjamin Sawyer; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family members. Chris was preceded in passing by his baby son Tyler Sawyer and his brother Brian Sawyer.

He also leaves behind scores of cherished friendships from his youth, working career, and so many people he met and touched along the way, too numerous to list.  He will be missed in so many ways. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, November 11th from 12 to 4 pm at one of Chris’ favorite places, the Nelson Ranch, 550 Nelson Ranch Rd Ukiah, CA. Dress is casual and Big Lebowski attire will be regarded. Be prepared to share your favorite Chris sayings or Chris-isms. RSVPs are appreciated at http://evite.me/Qs6uBsxZFz.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to these organizations in memory of Chris Sawyer:

-SPACE (Near and Arnold’s School of Performing Arts & Cultural Education) www.spaceperformingarts.org, 508 W. Perkins Street, Ukiah, CA  95482. 

-Humane Society for Inland Mendocino County, www.hsimc.org, 9700 Uva Drive, Redwood Valley, CA  95470.

“The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater.” —Haldir, J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring