LEONARD SAWYER

Leonard Alson Sawyer Leonard was born on May 18th, 1925 in Puyallup, and passed away August 19th at his home. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alson and Velma Sawyer, sister Myrtice Kopecky, twin daughters Connie and Carrie, and the mother of his seven children, Beverly Sawyer. He is survived by his wife Dawne Friesen Sawyer, children Carla Sawyer (Thom Opheim), Colleen Shields (Gene), Cindy Schuur (Bill), Clark Sawyer (Mona), and Craig Sawyer (Kelly), grandchildren Adrianna, Colin and John Opheim, Kevin, Katie and Mackenzie Shields, Jennifer Herbert, Jesse Smith, Willie and Andee Schuur, Hannah Sawyer, and Dylan and Keenan Fagan, seven great-grandchildren, and niece Pam Everett. Leonard attended Puyallup High School, where he played all sports and was dubbed the "dribbling jeep." After graduation in 1943, Leonard joined the US Navy and the Navy's V-12 program at the University of Washington. After serving in the Navy and WWII as an Ensign, he continued his education at the College of Puget Sound, playing basketball on a scholarship for the Loggers. It was on the basketball court at CPS that one lovely young coed spied him, and after a blind date eventually became his bride. Leonard received his law degree from the University Of Washington, and was a member of the Washington State Bar Association for over 50 years. In 1955 Leonard was elected State Representative from the 25th district and served 22 years, twice elected to serve as Speaker of the House. Leonard had a life-long love of sports. He taught his children how to snow and water ski; his son's basketball skills, and those of a few others, were fined-tuned through hours of practice in the driveway. And all of his children, whether they wanted to or not, knew their way around a boxing ring. Leonard lived a long and full life and will be deeply missed by his loved ones. A celebration of his life will be held on September 20th at 1:00pm at the family home he and Mom built in 1963 on Lake Tapps.