OAK ISLAND — Charles Douglas Sawyer, 74, passed away Saturday, June 1, 2019.
Mr. Sawyer was born Oct. 27, 1944, to the late PY and Geneva Sawyer. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Tommy Sawyer.
Mr. Sawyer will be remembered for his love of fishing, which brought him to Oak Island for retirement; his generosity to others; and his ability to build anything. Charles was always busy helping others. He built many houses and gave away many of his woodworking projects to friends and neighbors. Charles worked as a pressman for 45 years for the Durham Herald Sun and Raleigh News and Observer. He attended First Baptist Church of Oak Island.
Survivors include his wife, Arcell Sawyer; daughter, Kelly Thrower, and her husband, Scott; son, Shea Sawyer, and his wife, Denise; three grandchildren, Ashley Sawyer, Michael Sawyer and Kristin Thrower; two sisters, Carolyn Oakley and Larue Borland; brother, P.Y. Sawyer; and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, June 8, at Shady Grove United Methodist Church, 8007 East Hyco Road, Virginia.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Charles Sawyer to the Duke Cancer Institute to support research for metastatic brain cancer research. Checks may be written to the Duke Cancer Institute and contributions mailed to the following address: Duke Cancer Institute, 710 W. Main St., Suite 200, Durham, NC 27701.
Share online condolences with the family at Peacock-Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service.
