Nicholas Richard "Nick" Sawyer

Nicholas 'Nick'

Richard Sawyer

Decatur

Funeral services for Nicholas "Nick" Richard Sawyer will be Tuesday, December 6, 2011, at 2 p.m. at St. John's Episcopal Church in Decatur. Visitation will be held in the church Parish Hall prior to the service beginning at 11:30 a.m. and interment will be in the McKimmon Garden immediately following the service. Nick, who along with his friend, Bailey Robinson, died in a tragic car accident on December 2, 2011, was born October 6, 1994, in Mobile. He was an active Christian in the community and at St. John's Episcopal Church, where he served as Lay Eucharistic Minister, Usher, Acolyte and Lector. He was also active in Sunday school and youth activities.

A junior at Austin High School, Nick was an honor roll student and a member of both the Key Club and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He played varsity and junior varsity football and was known to his teammates as having the "heart of a lion". He was always determined and committed in everything he did, especially when it came to his team and friends. He lived for the Florida Gators and idolized Tim Tebow. Never a day went by when Nick was not outside with the younger boys in the neighborhood playing football and basketball, the children worshipped him. He was always ready with a hug or word of support.

He also took karate and was on the competition team at Webster's Karate Studio, where he earned his black belt. Nick was also an invaluable part of the Rapture Balloon Crew at the Alabama Jubilee for many years. Always a comedian, Nick was quick witted and made everyone around him feel loved and appreciated. He will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his loving parents, Jesse and Karen Sawyer; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Den Leathem of Marianna, Fla., Mr. and Mrs. Frederrick Kavanagh of Montgomery and Robert Sawyer of Mobile; aunts, Susan Kavanagh Adams (Nita Chester), Beth Kavanagh (Paul Young) and Katy Kavanagh of Gainesville, Fla., Caroline Ward and Bobby and Chris of Mobile, Linda Morgan, Ann Eissler (Mike) and Dolores Kavanagh, all of Montgomery; uncles, Raymond Eissler (Jeannine) of Montgomery, David Eissler (Amy) of Birmingham and Dr. Robert Turbeville; godparents, Brad and Toni Tidwell and their children, Alex, Olivia and Sebastian, along with a number of cousins and other family members.

As an alternative to flowers, the family suggests donations to the St. John's Episcopal Youth Ministries.

This obituary was originally published in the Decatur Daily.