George Marshall "Pogy" Sawyer Obituary (1925

George Marshall “Pogy” Sawyer—beloved father, grandfather, uncle, brother, and friend—passed away peacefully in his sleep on July 29, 2020, in his Lindon, Utah home at the age of 94. Dad was many things: Inventor, veteran, researcher, geologist, scientist, Boy Scout leader, prolific journal keeper, and much more. But he was proudest of his role as father and grandfather. He enjoyed dancing, hiking and camping, reading, journal keeping, spending time with family, and keeping records of...well, everything. He made friends wherever he went, had an amazing capacity for remembering names, and never shied from satisfying his curiosity by thoroughly questioning complete strangers. He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and enthusiastically fulfilled his many church callings. Although he was a convert to the church, he was a great-great-grandson of Brigham Young, the Mormon leader and prophet who brought the Saints to Utah in 1847. He was born October 11, 1925, to Dwight Lewis Sawyer and Katharine Marshall, in Ray, Arizona. He has lived in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, British Columbia, Utah, Alaska, and California. He married Ella May “Eeem” Hulet on June 20, 1962, in the Salt Lake Temple, and although later divorced, together shared a great love for the beautiful family they created together. He Joined the U.S. Army Air Forces on the same day he turned 18 (October 11, 1943). In April 1944, immediately following his graduation from Antelope Valley Joint Union High School, he was inducted at Fort McArthur, California, then completed Basic Training in Amarillo, Texas. At Stockton Field, California, La Junta, Colorado, and Roswell, New Mexico, he maintained AT-17, B-25, and B-17 aircraft as a propeller specialist. At the war’s end, he was training as a B-29 navigator for the invasion of Japan. He was honorably discharged on October 31, 1945, and used the GI Bill for his college education. His thirst for knowledge was insatiable, and he never stopped learning. He earned two bachelor’s degrees, in geophysics and geology, at Caltech, and he enjoyed attending alumni events for years up until his death. His 16 U.S. patents spanned a variety of fields, including botany, photography, and holography, and a friend recently helped him publish his research in astrophysics. He worked with family in the mining industry and then at AiResearch, one of the top aircraft accessory manufacturers at the time, doing fuel testing. He later founded two businesses—Magic Garden Products and New Tomorrow—that specialized in hydroponic gardening starters (bulbs, peanuts, and other plants) and crystal growth novelties (Magic Tree, Magic Christmas Tree) that were popular with museum gift shops and educators for many years. He went out of his way to let us kids help him in manufacturing kit components. He finally retired at the age of 90. He is survived by his three children: George Thomas (Marcine) Sawyer, Louise (Tracy) Nelson, and Michael David (LeeAnn) Sawyer; 12 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, Dwight Lewis Sawyer, Sally (Jack) Gardner, and Robert (Bob) Hanna Sawyer; and one grandchild, Justin Sawyer. Special thanks go to his neighbors and ward members, who for years have extended loving hands of friendship and care, and to Salus Hospice, who were instrumental in meeting dad’s health and comfort needs in his final weeks. With respect to COVID-19 restrictions, a family-only graveside ceremony will be held Friday morning, and a memorial open house will be held at his apartment at 179 North State Street, #101, Lindon, Utah on Saturday, August 1, from 10am to 2pm (masks required). Interment will be in the Provo City Cemetery; burial arrangements were made by Berg Mortuary www.bergmortuary.com. Messages may be sent to the family at dad’s email address, sawyergm1@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests donations to one of dad’s preferred charities, St. Joseph’s Indian School at stjo.org, or to the Humanitarian Aid fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.