(1924-2014) John Leslie Sayre, loving husband, father and grandfather, Minister, Theological Librarian, University Librarian, Seminary Dean, Tour Director and Gardener, passed away on April 11, 2014 at the Foxwood Springs Living Center in Raymore, MO. John was born in Hannibal, Missouri, to John L. Sayre, Sr., and Clara Lucile Haden on March 28, 1924, and was raised in Norman, Oklahoma. John graduated from University High School in Norman in 1942. He studied one year at the University of Oklahoma, and transferred to Phillips University (Enid, OK) where he graduated in 1946 with a BA in Religion. John was ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 1946. In 1947 he entered Yale Divinity School in New Haven, Connecticut and graduated with his M.Div in 1950. On June 18, 1948 John and Herwanna L. Harrouff, of Lawton, OK, were married at University Place Christian Church, Enid, OK. From 1950-1957 John served as Campus Minister for the Christian Church, Stillwater, OK where all four children were born. In 1957, John moved to Austin, Texas, to become Campus Minister at the University Christian Church. In 1962, John was called to be the Seminary Librarian at the Phillips Graduate Seminary in Enid, Oklahoma. He received the Master of Library Science degree in 1963. Ten years later, in 1973, the Ph.D. in Library Science from the University of Texas. In 1971, he was promoted to the position of University Librarian for Phillips University overseeing both the Graduate Seminary Library and Zollars Memorial Library. In 1987 John was appointed Dean of the Seminary, in addition to his duties as Seminary Librarian. John retired from Phillips Theological Seminary in September, 1989, and he and his wife moved to Foxwood Springs Living Center in Raymore, Missouri where they started Sayre Tours. He served as Volunteer Director of Special Activities at Foxwood for many years. John and Herwanna devoted themselves to sharing the joys of attending cultural events, traveling the world with others, organizing and directing tours, especially to Scandinavia. In 1985 John was officially recognized as an honorary citizen of the city of Mullsjö, Sweden, in recognition of this special relationship with its community. John is survived by his loving & devoted wife, Herwanna L. Sayre of Raymore, Missouri; four children, Barbara A. (Don) Hutchins of McLean, Virginia, John Richard Sayre (Mary Phillips) of Galesburg, Illinois, Alan D. Sayre (Linda Record) and Melody L. (Roy) Hildebrand of Enid, Oklahoma - five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Robert Haden Sayre and his sister Clara Ruth Sayre. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 19th, at 10:00 am, at Raymore Christian Church, 500 Peace Drive, Raymore, MO 64083. A memorial service primarily for the residents of Foxwood Springs Retirement Community will be held on Thursday, April 17th, at 10:00 am at Bromwell Lounge. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Raymore Christian Church or to the Fellowship of John, PO Box 701, Raymore, MO 64083. M

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Published by Kansas City Star on Apr. 16, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for JOHN SAYRE

Sponsored by Kansas City Star.

9 Entries

Bob Regenold

April 21, 2014

Remembrances of the Rev. John Sayre

During my years at Eureka College and involvement with the Campus Ministry program, I felt a calling to minister to and with college students. To help me with this decision, during 1954-55, my senior year, I applied to be an intern in the Campus Ministry program at the Christian Student Center at Okla. State University, Stillwater, Okla. I was fortunate to be accepted, along with Dick Galusha, as the two interns to work under the leadership of the Rev. John Sayre.

John was leading the premier Disciples Campus Ministry program of the country, ministering in a variety of ways to around 500 students from the University. We interns had a great number of experiences throughout that year under John's detailed leadership and planning. An additional blessing of this year was the meeting of one of the campus ministry student leaders, Patsy Ann Moss, who later became my wife.

In the middle of that year, John evaluated my work and felt I would be a good candidate for the Campus Ministry. From the seminaries to which I applied and was accepted, John felt his alma mater, Yale Divinity School, had the best program for Campus Ministry. In the fall of 1956, after a wonderful year of experience under the ministry of John Sayre, I entered YDS. I am eternally grateful for his wonderful Christian spirit and leadership that he shared so generously with me.

John and Herwanna have remained dear friends throughout these ensuing 59 years.

Rev. Bob Regenold
Associate Minister, Ret.
First Christian Church
Hagerstown, MD

Roberta Hamburger

April 21, 2014

Memorial to John Sayre
Roberta Hamburger's musings

John Sayre offered me a job as cataloger at the Seminary Library in Enid, Ok, before I had completed my degree. We had met at a library conference where the offer was made. I was scared to death to say yes, so I said no. For a couple years I worked in a multicounty library system, when I heard the job in Enid was open again. My interest was primarily in technical services and I was now interested in the position. I applied and was delighted to be hired. It was the position I dreamed of. John was my mentor. He taught me everything I needed to know about administering a theological library, teaching a class of seminary students about resource material in theology. He also helped me learn about the intricacies of budgeting and staffing a library.

I could not have had a better boss. After we had worked together a few years, John had the bright idea that we should put together a guide to the theological reference material he taught the students. John did the legal work to make the publishing a manual possible and he did the creative work to put it together. I did the details, computer input and accounting. For several years we sold these manuals, not only to our students but also to seminaries all over the U.S. and Canada. Then the Internet came into being and took away the need for a printed resource. It was great while it lasted.

When John retired, I was so grateful that I had learned enough to feel able to assume the directorship of the Seminary Library. I certainly could not fill his shoes. He was one of the best, and most knowledgeable librarians I ever knew in the field of theological resources. His match will never be met.

Rob & Shirley Marsh

April 21, 2014

My wife Shirley Mason Marsh and I Rob Marsh first met John at the DSF college Student Center in Stillwater, Ok the first year that I attended Okla A &M the summer of 1953 We remember the great programs and trips John planned for us at the Student Center.

Several years later we met them in Enid and joined many of their fabulous world wide tours. What an impact both John and Herwana made on our lives and on all who met them!

Jitter Nolen

April 21, 2014

Dear Friend Herwanna,
Patricia and I are saddened to learn of Johns passing, but we rejoice to know that he is at peace with our Lord. It is hard to accept the loss of one of the really good guys. As you know our friendship goes back to 1958 or so. John came to University Christian Church in Austin, Texas to be interviewed for the Youth Minister position at our church. He was the first to fill that position and he filled it wonderfully well for 5 or 6 years. His program became a model for the other churches around the UT campus. I was Director of the Student Activity Center(Texas Union) at UT Austin. We worked together on many projects. A little social group coalesced around you and John, all of us with young children. Naturally, whoever was John's partner at bridge usually won high score.

Later, at Phillips University in Enid, Oklahoma he kept the library going for both the Seminary and the College. Again, both students and faculty benefitted greatly from his administrative skills and his service to the broader church. More recently the residents of Foxwood Springs benefitted from his administrative skills as he provided wonderful trips and other enriching activities that most Senior Living places only hope for. Fortunately, Patricia and I have benefitted from your visits to Colorado and our visits to Missouri.

A life fully lived—organizing, administering and always benefitting others. What a friend—and we will miss the pleasure of his company.

Pax Vobiscum,

Jitter

John Knightly

April 21, 2014

I have the fondest memories of John Sayre at the Univ of Texas at Austin. I met John in late summer 1970 when we both were working on our doctorates in the Graduate School of Library Science. I liked him immediately for his energetic spirit, sense of humor,and gracious manner.Soon I would admire his work ethic and productivity. He was already Director of Libraries at Phillips University and somehow managed to keep work,family, publishing, and doctoral study all going well.

When John came to Austin he pulled the family travel trailer behind and installed it in a trailer park not too far from the university. The trailer was home whenever John was in Austin. That's where we got to meet his wife Herwanna at a reception at the trailer during her next visit from Enid. Six or eight of us huddled in the little trailer, had snacks and drinks and a great fun time

In the months ahead John and I were to team teach two sections of the library school's reference class. write an article together for publishing, and compile a collection of readings (on self-paced instruction) which managed to sell ok and which, much to our good humor. sold well in Australia for some reason.

I'm grateful for John and feel blessed to have known him as a colleague and friend.

Forest Redding, Jr.

April 19, 2014

Our thoughts remain with Herwanna and the entire Sayre family on this day of John's memorial service in Raymore. John was a kind, thoughtful and wise colleague for all who worked with John at Phillips University. Through all the years, John opened the world to students, faculty and friends through excellent library systems and travels that he and Herwanna planned and led to many nations around the globe. His leadership and spiritual outreach helped make gatherings, communities and even global settings more vital, open and understandable/compassionate places for all.

Susan Phillips

April 17, 2014

What a godly, intelligent, diligent man that will be sorely missed. How we look forward to seeing him again in heaven, for we do not grieve as those who have no hope. May God comfort and bless all our family, Mrs. Sayre.

Joe and Nina japuntch

April 17, 2014

Dear all you are in our prayers at this most sorrowful time but rejoice because he is reborn in a new life with our Lord Jesus Christ

Joan Williams

April 16, 2014

Very sorry to hear of your father's passing. I enjoyed the interesting obituary.
I regret not knowing him except through your stories. Joan Williams

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