Grover H Sawyer Jr. | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Grover H Sawyer Jr., age 79, died Thursday, February 24, surrounded by his friends and family.

    He was born in Lawton, Oklahoma to Harold and Minnie Sawyer. They moved to Washington, NC a year or two later and Grover grew up there. He graduated from Washington High School in 1961. He then attended East Carolina University and enlisted in the navy, serving in the Naval Reserves for seven years and two years active duty -most of which, was served on the USS Saratoga. Grover loved the sea, and that was where he was most happy. He spent every summer sailing on the Pamlico while growing up, and his love of sailing grew from there.

    He then went to, and graduated from, Durham Technical Institute as a dental technician. He worked at Washington Dental Lab -which was owned by his father- until 1974 when he moved to Key West, Florida. He then opened Keys Dental Lab, which was the only one of its kind there, at the time. He retired from there and became a realtor.

    In 1984 he married the love of his life Carol, and together they enjoyed a successful career in real estate. He retired and they moved aboard their sailing yacht "New Song". They were involved in a mission to Cuba, smuggling several tons of contraband to underground churches. Their boat was searched five times, and nothing was ever found. They were planning to sail around the world together but instead moved back to Washington, NC to take care of Grover's parents, and ending up staying there.

    Grover and Carol were deeply in love and looking forward celebrating nearly forty years together on March 10.

    Along with his wife he is survived by his sons: Jason and wife Angie of Round Rock, Texas, and Brendan -also of Round Rock; four grandchildren: Reagan of Round Rock, Braden of Richmond, Va, Cierra Johnston of Wisconsin, and Brantlie Sawyer of Red Hill, SC; a brother: Rod and his wife Paula of Arvada, CO; and one nephew David Sawyer of Breckenridge, Co.

    The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to Broad Creek EMS, Vidant Beaufort Trauma ED and ICU units and all of their wonderful employees.

    A visitation will be held Sunday, February 27 from 6:00-8:00pm at Joseph B. Paul Jr. Funeral Service, with a funeral service the following day, February 28, at Church of the Good Shepherd on Market St. Extension in Washington, NC at 2:00pm. Burial will follow immediately at Asbury Methodist Church Cemetery.