Johnny Sawyer

John Robert “Johnny” Sawyer went to be with his Lord and Savior on March 26, 2025.

Johnny was born in Hugo, Oklahoma on May 13, 1951, on Mother’s Day.  I remember his Mother saying it was the best Mother’s day present!!!

Johnny was preceded in death by both his parents, Sam Sawyer Jr. and Katherine Bayless Sawyer; and one sister, Gerry Coleman.  He leaves to cherish his memory: his wife of over 40 years, Gayle Sawyer, and two children: Cristi Houtman and husband Jay,  of Southlake, Texas;  Brandon Cain and wife Elizabeth, of Onalaska, Wisconsin; five grandchildren, Taylor Houtman, Eric Houtman, Sydni Cain, Whitney Houtman, and Adalyn Cain.  Also some very dear friends from Idabel and a host of friends from across the country.

Johnny loved the Lord, and gospel music had become his favorite music.  He listened to it every single day.  He used to say all the time, “Can you just imagine what heaven is really like?”

Johnny was a welder/fabricator and a proud member of Pipeliners Local 798 Union for over 50 years. Many people said,

“if Johnny couldn’t fix it, throw it away.“  He traveled the world working on pipelines from India, Singapore, Holland, Belgium to the North Sea, and from Maine to California in the states.  

He loved to fish when he was home, and loved crappie fishing as much as anyone ever has, but never missed a chance to brag about a big bass he’d caught.

Visitation will be at White Family Funeral Home, Friday, March 28, 2025 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm  with a graveside service at 2:00 pm, Saturday, March 29, 2025 at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Ashdown, Arkansas.

He will be greatly missed by all.

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