William “Roger” Sawyer - William Roger Sawyer, age 76 of Jonesborough, TN went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, March 5th peacefully surrounded by family.
Roger was born November 7, 1945, in Elizabeth City, NC. where he spent his childhood attending Newland United Methodist Church.
Roger graduated from Central High School in Elizabeth City, NC and thereafter attended College of the Albemarle before enlisting in the Army National Guard.
Roger was a true salesman who had a long and successful career with the JC Penney Company. Roger began his career with JC Penney at the age of 16, putting bikes together during the Christmas season. Upon his return home from his service in the National Guard he began working full-time for JC Penney, where he would retire 44 years later.
Roger was a devoted son, husband, father, brother, grandfather and uncle. He will be remembered for all the time he spent with them fishing, playing on the beach and just being present in their lives. Roger had a way of showing up just when you needed him most and loving you where you were. He was a loyal friend, always turning quick encounters with others into meaningful friendships. He had a way of walking into a room and within minutes making 3 new friends, knowing a fun fact about each of them and more than likely having a vacation planned to visit them. He was a Johnny Cash fan, a great dancer, a lover of boats and all things water. Roger had a zeal for life and a joy about him that was contagious. Always finding the positive in whatever situation he might be faced.
He was a philanthropist at heart. Sitting on the boards of the Ronald McDonald House, Dawn of Hope, United Way and March of Dimes, volunteering his time with Walk to Emmaus, and always serving the Lord in whatever capacity he was called. He was a Rotarian and a member of Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church.
To have known him was a blessing and he will be greatly missed. The most precious thing we can give someone is a memory. Roger will be known by all as having given that gift.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Evelyn Sawyer and by his brother Phil Sawyer.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Pam Sawyer; daughters Kim (Brandon) Hall and Kristy Howard, bonus sons; Rob Carpenter and Tim (Risa) Carpenter; grandchildren Taylor Hall, Addison Hall, Mitchell Howard, Brody Howard, Sawyer Howard, Sage Carpenter, Ailyn Carpenter, Marleah Carpenter and Macauley Carpenter; and his beloved fur baby Olive.
Special thank you to Melodie Ledford for being such a special family friend through the years.
A memorial service will be held at Dillow-Taylor Funeral Home Saturday, March 12, 2022. Visitation will begin at 2:00 until time of service at 3:00.
In lieu of flowers the family is asking that donations be made in Roger’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Northeast Tennessee Chapter 2020 Meadowview Parkway Suite 100, Kingsport, TN 37660 or go online alz.org
So sorry for your loss. Roger was a classmate and a really nice person
I live in Newland the community that Rodger grew up in. Rodger was a few years older than me. We went to the same church (Newland United Methodist Church) . Back when we were growing up the church had a program for young people called MYF (Methodist Youth Fellowship). Once a month a church in the conference would host all the churches for a special speaker and a night of fun. Rodger sat close to me one night and a guy in front of us kept trying to pinch Rodger on the leg. Rodger finally got a grip on his finger and made him very uncomfortable. The meeting was in progress and the boy turned many shades of red before Rodger finally let him go. No more trouble with him the rest of that night. LOL. Seems like Rodger played second base in the local baseball team we had then. He was a good player there. I live beside the lane that goes back to the cemetery where Rodger's parents are burred. I am sorry for your loss and remember, God is good all the time.
03/15/2022
Dona Whitehead Yunker
So sorry to learn of Roger's passing. I also went to Central School, and remember when he started at JC Penney in Elizabeth City, as the guy who put the bicycles together. May the memories he shared live on in your hearts.
Pam and family, so sorry to hear of Roger’s passing. I remember my fellow manager Roger as a good friend and partner having worked with him to open 2124 in Knoxville. I found Roger to be an innovator and idea man, both qualities that made him so successful with JCPenney. The world has lost a good man and our sympathies go out to you.
Betsy and Tracy Morris
Pam and family, so sorry to hear of Roger’s passing. I remember my fellow manager Roger as a good friend and partner having worked with him to open 2124 in Knoxville. I found Roger to be an innovator and idea man, both qualities that made him so successful with JCPenney. The world has lost a good man and our sympathies go out to you.
Betsy and Tracy Morris
03/11/2022
Pamela Daniels
Dear Pam and family, So very sorry to hear of Rogers’s passing. What a wonderful man who loved you so. Pam what a grand example of love and care you’ve been. - Prayers are being lifted for you and your family during this difficult time!
Pam Daniels
03/11/2022
John and Linda Gresham (JCPenney Family)
Pam and Family, I'm so sorry for your loss, Roger was always a fun loving guy and never meant a stranger. I'm sure it's not been easy on you but I want you and your family to know that you all are in our prayers and we will certainly miss Roger. God Bless You All
I will see you on the other side cousin of mine , you were a great friend and Penney Partner. Always there for conversation when needed. Love you Man.
03/10/2022
Ross, Lynn, and Brian Ramsey
Dear Pam and family,
We are so sorry to hear of Roger's passing.
We know you will miss him very much.
Please know that you are in our prayers.
03/10/2022
Tom and Carolyn Walters
Pam, Kim, and Kristie,
We will always remember the great times our family had with Roger and his family. Roger was always a happy, smiling, loving man and we will always cherish the memories of him. We feel so lucky to have met Roger in Lynchburg Va, then followed him to Knoxville, and finally to our hometown in Johnson City TN. So blessed that we have kept in touch with Kim and Kristie for these many years. We will surely miss Roger and fondly remember taking a golfcart ride with Roger into downtown Jonesborough not too many years ago.
Love always,
Tommy and Carolyn
03/10/2022
David and Cheri Sprinkle
Dear, Pam. We are so sorry for you and your family in your loss. Roger was a handsome, outgoing man. We both have fond memories of the two of you sharing Elvis with us for a weekend.
David and Cheri Sprinkle
03/09/2022
Ricky and Sara Williams
We were so very sorry to hear of Roger’s passing. He truly was a special man who was a joy and fun to be around. We so much enjoyed seeing him and visiting with him several years ago at his brother’s home in Florida. This was after Phil had passed but he and Ricky had the best time looking at old picture albums and trying to determine who they were. Laughter and joy was in abundance. Roger and Ricky were cousins growing up in Newland and his last visit was spent with his girls, Kim and Christy, at our beloved Newland UMC. Our love to Pam and his girls and grandchildren and others who loved him dearly. He touched many lives.
03/09/2022
Diane Sawyer Markham
Dear family, your Roger was a high school classmate & leaves the remaining Greenwaves class ‘65 with a great sense of loss. So many happy memories & good times from those years of long ago. He was so kind & gentle with everyone & just so much fun to be around. Rest In Peace Roger S. You will not be forgotten .
03/09/2022
Donald Cartwright
Pam, Roger and I were classmates at Central High School and friends. He was a special friend and I was sorry to hear of his passing. I, like you and your family, have special memories because of who Roger was his entire live. Thoughts and prayers go out to you, the children and family members. RIP Roger my friend.
03/09/2022
Fay and Ron Wynne
Roger always had a smile on his face and was a great neighbor and friend didn’t know Roger that long but my fondest and funny memory of Roger when we spent New Years Eve 2016 with him in Myrtle Beach he was the life of the party !!! Rest In Peace my friend
Pam and families. I am so sorry. He will be missed.My favorite Store Manager Prayers for the family.
I am so sorry to learn of Roger’s passing. He was a loyal friend and mentor to me and friend of my family from my teenage years. I had the fortune of forming a 35 year friendship with Roger through his daughter Kim as a high school student in Knoxville, TN. Though I was only a youngster when I met him his wisdom, gentle kindness, work ethic, Love of life, Love of others, Love of his wonderful and sweet family and humble Love and service to Jesus Christ helped guide me as a person and most importantly as a servant to Christ. He leaves behind a wonderful family and legacy that meant everything to him. He was so proud of his sweet family.
My deepest condolences to Kim and her husband and children, to Kristy and her husband, children and grandchildren. My wife, Karen, and I had the privilege of knowing Pam and Roger for several years when he became the General Manager of the JC Penny’s in Johnson City. Somehow from Knoxville, TN in the 1980’s we both ended up in Johnson City. He was the first person I went to when I decided to buy my first boat after his retirement from J.C. Penny’s. Him and Pam’s devotion to Munsey United Methodist Memorial Church was a true blessing to me and Karen. It was a joy to feel their joy of finding each other. I had been a member of Munsey for several years but Roger and Pam taught me what it meant to truly honor and serve Christ. Roger’s gentle mannerisms, humor and happiness resonated with me in a way I had never experienced outside of my own family’s guidance. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife Pam. I am thankful that Kim introduced me to her Father she loves so much along with little sis Kristy and their sweet mother Carol. This world is a much better place because of Roger and I, along with many others, will miss Mr. Roger Sawyer. A truly good man. May Christ comfort his family until the are reunited for eternity.
