Newton "Lee" Sayers Jr.

Newton "Lee" Sayers Jr., 83, passed away Sunday, April 6, 2014 after struggling with dementia for ten years. Lee was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania on January 23, 1931. He entered college at the young age of 16, and subsequently graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Architecture. He joined the Navy and spent time in the Philippines, designing and building an airstrip. He left the Navy in 1956 and worked as an architect in New Orleans for 2 ½ years. He moved to Tallahassee where he was a City Building Inspector and then worked for the State Dept. of Education as an architect. In 1964, he relocated his family to DeLand where he became the School Plant Planner for Volusia County. He loved buildings and architecture and in 1972 he opened his own Architectural firm in DeLand. In 1979, he joined a firm in Daytona. His legacy is seen in the many beautiful buildings and structures he designed in DeLand, Daytona and Ormond. He retired to Ormond Beach, where he hosted many Easter Egg hunts and Fourth of July parties for his ten grandchildren: Janis, Michael, Laura, Kevin, Victor, Sarah, Ryan, Douglas, David and Kenan. He is survived by his former wife, Grace Sayers, and his four children: John and wife Pati Sayers, Clermont, FL; Cathy and husband Vic Godlewski, Orlando, FL; Steven and wife Margaret Sayers, Elkins Park, PA; and David Sayers, Ann Arbor, MI. He is also survived by his brother, Paul Sayers, Parish, FL. The family will be gathering for a private memorial service Easter weekend. The Becker Funeral Home in Clermont is handling the cremation-www.becker familyfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers a memorial gift can be sent to Cornerstone Hospice www.cshospice.org or 352-742-6819 to donate directly to the Mike Conley Hospice House in Clermont, FL.