Gerald Sawyer

Published 8:14 am Monday, July 9, 2018

Born November 7, 1938 in Los Angeles, California

Died May 8, 2018 in Ashland, Oregon

Gerald (Jerry) Sawyer received most of his education in Claremore, Oklahoma where he lived while growing up. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Education in 1960 from Northeastern College in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Jerry quickly excelled in his skills as a teacher in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and was awarded Oklahoma Speech Association’s Outstanding Young Speech Teacher of the year 1961-1962.

Jerry worked at Disneyland in the summertime when school was on break. He enjoyed serving as a waiter for the Red Wagon Inn, many times preparing a conference room where Mr. Disney would hold meetings. Jerry often spoke of how much he enjoyed brief greetings with Walt Disney and having the opportunity to learn about Disneyland while meeting such interesting people.

In the early 60’s Jerry began teaching in Orange County, CA. He also completed his Masters in Education from CA State Fullerton – 1972 and utilized his skills serving Special Education Students. This is where he met the love of his life, MaryLou Long, also a teacher for the same school. For Mary it was “love at first sight!” They soon began spending time together and married the following February.

In 1982 Mary and Jerry moved to Sunriver, Oregon after 20 years of teaching. They soon discovered their interest in interior design. Sawyer and Sawyer Interior Design proved to be a profitable and exciting career for them both. Jerry also enjoyed his creative work as an artist, and Mary had a gift for photography. They loved their new careers in interior design. They also took every opportunity to go hiking, one of their favorite pursuits.

Along the way, Mary and Jerry generously volunteered their time and skills to the Sunriver Music Festival. They helped the staff, made the frames for the SRMF posters and were always available for tasks large and small. Most importantly, the musicians who came every August revered and loved Mary and Jerry.

After 42 years of marriage and many enjoyable adventures, Mary passed July 2, 2008. The loss was difficult.

The next year, Jerry moved to Ashland, Oregon and soon made friends with people in the community and volunteered for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Living in Ashland proved to be the highlight of his later years. He loved those involved with the OSF Family and enjoyed encouraging others to experience theater performances knowing an appreciation for the arts would enrich their lives.

Jerry is survived by his sisters, Shelia Parks and Joan McCurdy, half- sister Barbara Cole, sister-in-law Debra Long, nephew Luthor Parks, and grandniece Hanna Parks.

Celebration of Life planned for family and close friends in Oregon for September.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland Oregon, the Sunriver Music Festival, Sunriver, Oregon, and the Camelot Theater, Talent, Oregon. –