Calvin Sawyer

Calvin H. Sawyer VIRGINIA BEACH - Calvin Harrison "Buz" Sawyer, born March 8, 1925, died peacefully Sept. 28, 2008. He was predeceased by his parents, Noah Gaston Sawyer and Goldie Yevette Sawyer; his brother, Noah Gaston Sawyer Jr.; and two granddaughters, Tammy and Stephanie Farris. While growing up, Buz was a resident of the Atlantic City neighborhood in Ghent in Norfolk. He attended Maury High School. He also lived in Ocean View on the Bay and was a member of Ocean View Lodge No. 335, AF&AM and Calvin Presbyterian Church for many years. He was a former elder of East Ocean View Presbyterian Church. Buz loved to fish and crab in front of his home and tell stories about his exploits to family and friends. Buz served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Afterwards, he had a distinguished career at the Norfolk Naval Air Station. He is survived by his loving wife, Jean Taylor Sawyer; three daughters, Pamela S. Mandaleris and husband Perry, Mary Hudson and Claudia Phoenix; three grandchildren, Steven Farris and wife Nicole, Danielle McElroy and Tamara Blair and husband Ryan; five great-granddaughters, Taylor, Stephanie, Olivia, and Sommer Farris, and Skylynne McElroy; a niece and a nephew. A funeral will be conducted Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. in Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Bayside Chapel, with the Rev. Richard Grice officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery. The family will greet friends today from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials, in lieu of flowers, may be made to The Building Fund of Calvin Presbyterian Church, 2901 E. Little Creek Road, Norfolk, VA 23518. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.