John W. Sawyer III

Mr. Sawyer was born in June 1942 in Lansing, Michigan, to John W. Sawyer II and Justine Hurley Sawyer. A 1960 graduate of Sexton High School, John met and married the love of his life, Reba N. Sawyer (nee White) shortly before being drafted into the Army and deployed to Vietnam.

For many years, Mr. Sawyer owned a chain of bookstores across Michigan called "The Book Company", eventually expanding to Miami, Florida. In the early 80s, John, Reba, and their two children, Julie and John IV, moved to the Florida Keys. After selling his book businesses in the late 1980s, the family moved to Miami, where John began a successful second career in hurricane shutter sales. Upon his wife's retirement, the couple chose to settle in the Fort Myers/Punta Gorda area.

Semi-retired, John continued shutter sales but became civically active, becoming heavily involved in the Republican party, eventually running for public office. Mr Sawyer became active with local VFW and Vietnam veterans' groups.

Mr. Sawyer is survived by his wife Reba Sawyer of 53 years of Punta Gorda, Florida; his 2 children, Julie (Terry) Pfeifer of Odenton, Maryland and John Sawyer IV of Hopkins, Minnesota; his twin brother Tom Sawyer of Adrian, Michigan; as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

There will be a gathering of family and friends on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at 3:00 P.M. at the American Legion Post 110, 3152 Harbor Blvd. Port Charlotte, Florida for services and Military Honors. Inurnment will be at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

Donations in his memory may be made to Wounded Warriors or Viet Nam Veterans of America.

Please visit the online tribute for John W. Sawyer III at www.kays-ponger.com to sign the guest book and offer condolences to the family.

Arrangements by Kays-Ponger & Uselton Funeral Home and cremation services. Punta Gorda chapel.