James Marvin Sawyer

JAMES MARVIN SAWYER

A TIME TO BE BORN: On November 10, 1949, in Memphis, Tennessee, James arrived into this world as the tenth of thirteen children born to Barney and Mary Stancle Sawyer. James' birth was ordinary, but his life was extraordinary. His journey would carve a life of unwavering persistence, a strong thirst for knowledge and a legacy of love that was James Marvin Sawyer.
A TIME TO GROW: James described his childhood home with his brothers and sisters as happy with, "So many souls. So many personalities. All strong and loving."
James was a curious and thoughtful child. He credits his older brother John for introducing him to a love of science, his brother Herb for teaching him the joy of living, his sisters for being loving and protective and his sisters Ethel and Mary for inspiring him to attend college. He was truly honored to have had them all as family on his journey. In a personal journal to his grandsons he wrote, "I enjoy my brother Joe most. He is the most witty and insightful. Each week he comes up with stuff that has me laughing in tears." These relationships enabled James to go out into the world and make an impact. He found comfort in knowing his family would always be there for him. This love would ground him as he began to experience the world outside of his home.
A TIME TO BUILD UP: "Whenever I walked out the door, I was prepared for the fun and adventure that surely was out there. All I had to do was find it."
James graduated from Manassas High School in 1968 with lifelong friends. While in high school, he was a sports letterman for 3 years with many honors including a City Championship in Track, and in 1968 a State Track Championship where he was the captain of the team. That same year, he brought home to Manassas the individual Silver Medal in high hurdles. He was a star athlete who was fond of and excelled in his studies. He went on to attend Christian Brothers College (University) in Memphis, Tennessee. In 1968, he was one of only a few African Americans admitted to their Engineering College.He was the first black student to graduate in Civil Engineering from Christian Brothers. While there, he helped to start the Black Student Association and served as its President in his Senior year. He endured trials and tribulations related to the social and political climate of that time, yet he persisted. He went on to graduate earning a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. Following that, he earned a Master of Business Administration from Cleveland State University. He continuously earned certificates for other interests that he endeavored over the years. He was always thinking, always planning and always creating.
A TIME TO PLANT: "I left home in 1972 after graduation from Christian Brothers and went to work for Goodyear Tire and Rubber in Akron, Ohio."
Young James learned a lot about the outside world, providing for a family, and what it meant to enjoy the fruits of his labor. He went on to mentor other future African-American Engineers and many others along his path. He secured a professional engineering license. He eventually used his knowledge and talents as he joined The Sam Emerson Company as a Field Engineer and Project Manager where he directed construction crews and supervised the building of various low rise structures. He later became a Contract Administrator for Cleveland Electric Illuminating where he performed quality control inspections and oversaw construction of underground distribution networks, substations, fossil fuels and nuclear facilities. He went a step further and began to write and award major civil, mechanical and electrical contracts. In 1982, he became the Vice President of Meroe Contracting & Supply Co. where he performed multi-million dollar bridge and sewer projects for The Department of Transportation. By 1990, he was President of the Company and managed its operations in total. In the early 2000s, he designed, built and owned a luxury spa just outside of Cleveland. And, for the last few years, James had been inspired to bring forth into the world an invention born of his civil engineering experience and his knowledge of electrical distributions. It had been nurtured and developed by him, "...to be an Earth-friendly asset that will benefit people worldwide".
A TIME TO EMBRACE: "It has been strange but gratifying to hear thank-you's for being an influencer or role model".
James was a humble man that was able to embrace the spirit of love, friendship and camaraderie along the way. As he ventured out into the world, he met a host of friends. He developed rich relationships with work colleagues, golf buddies, travel partners, blues and jazz festival companions, fishing buddies, school mates, neighbors, mentees and even neighborhood pets. His relationships brought him joy, and they were truly what brought meaning to his life. If he spent quality time with you, he loved you.

A TIME TO LOVE: "We love because he first loved us." 1 John 4:19
James unapologetically cleaved to the love of family. He was a loving father and grandfather. He spoke of his children and grandchildren with great pride. When he wasn't doting on them, he loved discussing something profound he had learned, read or encountered on his journey of life. He was a lover of music. He would laugh at a sharp witted blues tune and would marvel at the genius of his favorite jazz musicians. Most of all, James loved and demonstrated love. He knew that if each one of us could live and walk in love, then our homes, neighborhoods, workplaces, and world could be transformed.

A TIME TO MOURN: "The present moment really is filled with joy and happiness! If you are attentive, you will see it."
The memory of an awesome father, brother, uncle, cousin, neighbor, friend and all-around extraordinary man will be cherished and celebrated by his children Ayana (Rodney) Smith, Jason and Jasmine Sawyer, his loving grandsons Noah and Caleb Smith, his living siblings Willie Beatrice Sawyer Johnson, Ethel Sawyer Adolphe, Mary Lee Sawyer, Barbara Sawyer Collins (Clarence) and Joseph Sawyer (Patricia), and his 'heart mate' Rita Durr, who was by his side in the final days of his journey on Earth. Rejoicing with him now are his siblings that preceded him in passing - Barney Sawyer Jr., Geraldine Sawyer, Flemia "Kathy" Sawyer Nieves, Odell "Dale" Sawyer Barber, Gloria Jean Sawyer, Herbert Sawyer and John Sawyer. His memory will also be cherished by a host of nieces, nephews, friends, family and loved ones.