Gilbert Lawrence Sauers

Just a little over two weeks before his 73rd birthday, Larry went home to be with his Lord and Saviour on Sunday, February 12, 2012 in Everett, WA. He was born to Gilbert Gregory and Dorothy (Merkley) Sauers in the Ballard area of Seattle, WA on March 2,1939.

He had an interesting heritage of inventors and thinkers. He often spoke about his grandfather inventing the bandsaw, and of how he was related to the first territorial governor of Washington State, Gov. Isaac Stevens.

Larry had unusual intelligence and a passion for learning. Though he left high school in the eleventh grade to help support his mom and sister, he avidly pursued knowledge on his own. The study of Scripture, law, the Constitution, health, healing and history were of great interest to him. After being out of school for 25 years, he wanted to get a GED, so, without studying, took the test and got the highest score that college had ever recorded.

Over the years, Larry worked at various jobs to make a living. At fifteen he started at Coast Cedar, a lumber mill in Ballard, where by the age of nineteen, was already foreman over men many times his age. Around 25, an injury to his fingers forced him to recuperate for a year, then went to work at Phoenix Lumber & Shingle in Ballard. From there, traveled to Reno & worked for Vauhn Materials driving truck & working the front desk where he caused their business to increase in efficiency and profitability. Moved back to Seattle & worked for Seattle Cedar & got tired of the lumber business, so went to work for Bar S until a back injury forced him to quit.

It was during this time that he turned his life over to the Lord, received full custody of his five children, and got a job as custodian at First Church of the Nazarene in Seattle where he met and married Carol Eileen McGee on June 5, 1971. Two daughters, Deborah & Kari, were born to them, making a total of seven children to love.

He wanted to learn more about serving the Lord he'd committed his life to, so went to Philadelphia Bible College for a short time, then later, studied & did an internship through the Church of God to become an ordained minister. Over the years, he had many opportunities to witness God's help in the lives of so many he touched. Miracles of healing, provision, reconciliation, & even deliverance. One time, when preparing to baptize in Greenlake during February, he prayed for God to warm up the water around them. The Lord made the water warm like bath water until the baptisms were done,

then went back to normal temperature...cold! He was always glad to share his knowledge & wisdom with those who would listen. The Lord remarkably softened his heart over the years, allowing him to grow in grace towards those he differed with.

Those surviving him are Carol, his adoring wife of over 40 years; children, Kathleen Renee Miner, Timothy Gilbert Sauers, Kimberley Rae Salvesen, Kevin Lee Friend (Robin), Larry Scott Sauers, Kari Ann Walker (Chris), Deborah Eileen Sauers and daughter of the heart, Michelle Champion; twelve grandchildren; one great-grandson; sister, Connie R. Parkinson (Keith) and cousin, Linda.