Milon Leon Sawyers was born December 10, 1929, to Milon Lee and Leatha Gough Sawyers, in Charlestown, WV. He passed away after a lengthy illness, Monday, April 17, 2023, in Columbus, OH in the presence of his loving and devoted wife and daughter.
In 1952, he married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life Margaret Ruth Evans. They were blessed in this union with three children, Michael Leon; Michelle Rene; and Mark Lawrence Sawyers.
Milon graduated from Garnett High School in 1947 where he participated in various school activities and was a standout member of the men’s varsity basketball team. He earned a Bachelor’s in Science, majoring in psychology, from West Virginia State University in 1951. From 1953-1957, he studied graduate-level psychology at Howard University in Washington, D.C., before transferring to The American University to continue his graduate studies. He earned an ROTC Commission and served two years active duty in the United States Army. He served many years in the U.S. Army Reserves earning a rank of Major (USAR-RET). He then moved his family to Toledo, OH in 1960. He became a member of the fraternity Omega Psi Phi in 1962. He earned a Master’s in Education from the University of Toledo in 1965. He began his teaching career at Robinson Junior high School and later became the Assistant Principal. He worked for the Toledo Board of Education as the Program Director of the In School Work Program. He later became the Assistant Principal at Bowsher High School, before retiring from the Toledo Public Schools in 1984. He then transitioned into real estate investing. In 2004, he was inducted into the Garnett Hall of Fame. In 2005 he became of member of the Third Baptist Church in Toledo, OH. In 2006 he authored the publication, “#1 Investment Strategy – Top 10 Tips on How to Retire Rich.” This publication was inspired by 25 years of research designed to educate investors of all levels. He was a lifetime member of the West Virginia State University Alumni Association and also served as its President.
Throughout his career he participated in various educational and civic activities as follows: Charter Member and President of the Toledo Chapter West Virginia State University Alumni Association, Board Member of the National Association West Virginia State University Alumni Association, Board Member of the Lucas County Retired Teachers Association, Executive Board Member of the Toledo Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Board Member of Ohio Youth Employment Advisory Council (U.S. Labor Department, Member of Toledo Public Schools Task Force for Educational Research and Curricular Development, Member of Upward Bound Committees for University of Toledo and Bowling Green State Universities, Coordinator of George Washington University’s NAACP Youth Intern Program, and Member of the U.S. Army General Court Martial Board of Fort Benning, GA.
Milon was a very caring, giving, and selfless man known to family and friends as “Grampy”. He was admired by colleagues, students, friends, family, and all others that he encountered. He would speak with strangers as though he had known them for years. He was always making those around him laugh due to his sense of humor. Also, he was a father figure to children whose own fathers were absent from their lives, gladly stepping in to celebrate special occasions. He loved his family; they were his pride and joy, his legacy!
Milon was preceded in death by both parents and sister Maxine Green.
Milon leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife of 70 years, Margaret Sawyers; his sons Michael (Winsome) and Mark Sawyers; daughter, Michelle Harris; his sister, Jeanne Scott; his grandchildren, Sheldon (Lyndsie) Harris, Maya Sawyers, Denzel Harris, Jordyn Harris, Kira (Michael) Hartman and Mark Sawyers Jr.; his great grandchildren, Jaelynd, Michael, Noah, Elias, Moriah, Avani, Jayceon, Le’Viona and Genesis.
Visitation 1:00 PM and Funeral Service 2:00 PM Friday, April 28, 2023 at MARLAN J. GARY FUNERAL HOME, THE CHAPEL OF PEACE NORTH 2500 Cleveland Ave. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery. To read the complete obituary, order flowers, view video tribute and offer condolences to the Sawyers Family, visit www.TheChapelofPeace.com
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A Husband, Father, Uncle, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, a Friend , an Officer, an example of a True Omega Man! Rest well in Heaven
Love and prayers to my Aunt Margaret and the entire Sawyers Family. Fossie was a great person and a wonderful uncle who was also a father figure to Pat, Marsha and Lori. Love and prayers always.
Pat Coles- Chalmers
So sorry for your loss. He was such a kind soul and will be missed.
Mark, so sorry to hear about your father,my thoughts and prayers are with you
So sorry for your loss. I have so many good memories of him growing up. He was a mentor to me and gave me my first jod at the board of education at the age of fourteen. I remember many nights spending the night and having great memories there. He will truly be missed.
Our sincere condolences to the Sawyers family. Fossie was a strong and steady pillar in our family. He was truly loved and will be greatly missed.
A wonderful Uncle to all the Watkins cousins. Loved and Truly missed. His life is a testament and Example of dedication Family, friends as well as strangers.
Much love and prayers of comfort.
Watkins family Toledo,
Praying for the family!!
I understand the pain of losing your father as I lost Roger Sr. Last July. The beauty of it all is your Dad and my Dad will always be with each other as they lay in state at Arlington National Cemetery.
Fossie my Great Uncle!!!
Fossie was the kindest person and a true gentleman. Our Deepest Sympathy to Margaret and the whole family.
Dear Margaret, Michael, Michelle and Mark,
We are very sorry for this great loss. We will always remember Fossie as a kind and loving man. We know that he will always be with you.
Much love and prayers,
Debbie and Fred Jackson
He was a great man and neighbor. He will be greatly missed. Prayers for his family.
Michelle, I was saddened to hear that your father passed away but I thank God for his long life. My prayers are with you and your side of our family. Much love, cousin.
We Love you Margaret and Family! Our sincerest condolences to the family. Our hearts and love are with you and we know God is with you at this time. Fossie was a wonderful and special man that we truly loved. He is now at peace in heaven and we will see him again one day. How fortunate we are to have shared so many years of happiness and joy. We will always have such great memories ♥️
I will forever hold a special place in my heart for Fossie and the sweet and fun memories I have of him. I will always be his “red pepper” and him my “green pepper”.
Love,
Kayla
My Condolences to the family,
I have nothing but fond memories of Fossie. On my second tour of his book #1 Investment Strategy, given and signed by him many years ago. He was wonderfully engaging to me and the kids, often saying to them “Red Hot Chilly Peppers”. He will be missed, but his legacy of being a good human will endure.
We are so sorry for the loss of our Uncle Milon and thank the family for allowing us the opportunity to see the service live streamed. May God continues bless this family with Great Foundations such as Uncle Fossie to build our upcoming generations on.
Our thoughts and prayers going up to the family. So sorry for your loss. Love and prayers to all