Charles Anthony Sayre

Deming - Charles Anthony Sayre was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico on November 7, 1934 to Christian Frank Sayre and Katherine Vogt Sayre. Tony played football and baseball for Santa Fe High School from which he graduated in 1953. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1955 where he served on the USS Lexington as an Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class (AT-1, E-6). After leaving the Navy in 1959, Tony enrolled in New Mexico State University. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering in 1962.

In November 1958, while visiting Santa Fe, Tony met his future wife and love of his life, Shirley McKenna. Tony and Shirley were married on May 30, 1959 and raised six children, Patricia, Kathleen, Karen, Michael, Susan and James.

In 1962, Tony accepted a job with the New Mexico State Highway and Transportation Department. During his 40 years with the department, Tony worked on various projects including construction, reconstruction and maintenance of both Interstate 10 and Interstate 25. He and his family lived in many New Mexico communities including Las Cruces, Springer, Roswell, Santa Fe and Deming. Tony was appointed the District Highway Engineer for District # 1 in 1977, moving his family to their final stop in Deming, New Mexico. He retired from the New Mexico State Highway and Transportation Department on September 9, 1995.

Tony was known for his service to the Deming community. Throughout his adult life, Tony worked as a high school football, baseball and softball official. He was a member of the Deming School Board and an avid supporter of all Wildcat athletics. Tony, along with his wife Shirley, founded the Deming Pop Warner Football League. He was an active member of the Deming Optimist Club, giving his time to run the summer concession stand at Hooten Park. He volunteered on a weekly basis at the Deming Luna Mimbres Museum and he and his family regularly fed the firefighters each Christmas morning.

Tony enjoyed traveling on the highways he was responsible for building and maintaining. When traveling with Shirley, they usually opted to drive rather than fly. One such trip included stops in Florida, Nova Scotia, Idaho and California with a return to New Mexico. He was a fan of the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Celtics, Dallas Cowboys and New Mexico State Aggies. Tony was an active alumnus of NMSU, and season ticketholder for Aggie football and men's basketball. Whenever possible, he also tried to take in an Aggie baseball and women's basketball game.

Tony was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Kay Sayre; his wife, Shirley Sayre and his daughter, Susan Sayre. Surviving members of his family include his brother, Doug Sayre; children, Patricia Sayre, Kathleen Sayre, Karen Sayre, Michael Sayre, and James Sayre; his grandchildren, James Gifford, Bryant Gifford, Patrick Gifford, Brandon Gifford, Megan Sayre, Russell Sayre, Katelyn Sayre and Jon Kaderly, and sister-in-law, Marilyn McKenna. He was also blessed to have 5 great grandchildren. Tony was an instant friend to anyone that he encountered and will be missed by all those who were a part of his life.

A memorial service will be held at a later date due to Covid -19. In lieu of flowers the family requests that you donate to your favorite charity in his name.

Entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels. Exclusive provider for "Veterans & Family Memorial Care". To sign the online guest book or to send a card, please visit our website at www.bacasfuneralchapels.com.

811 S. Gold Ave., Deming, NM 88030. Phone: 575.546.9671