Owen James "O.J." Sawyer

Owen James "O.J." Sawyer, 73, of Lono, Arkansas passed away June 20, 2011 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was born to sharecroppers Owen Sr. and Lois Inez Sawyer on July 3, 1937 in Lake Village, Arkansas, one of 16 children. He began working in the tree business in 1957, working for West Tree Service for 21 years before starting his own company, Sawyer Tree Service. He operated his company until his retirement in 1990, at which time he retired to his beloved cattle farm in Lono. He worked tirelessly all of his life to provide for his family, as well as those family members he took as his own. He taught his family to be strong, loving people by his Godly example and love, always ready with wise advice and counsel and a helping hand. He attended South Main Missionary Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sharlotte Sawyer; his children, Michael Sawyer (Jennifer) of Bryant, Denise Parks (John) of Lono, Michelle Haislip (Russell) of Benton; two special nieces, Lisa Haynes (Mark) of Bryant, and Brenda Price (Tad) of Jacksonville; six grandsons, Jedidiah and Joshua Sawyer, John Daniel and Ethan Parks, Bryar Haislip and Austin Hampton, as well as one granddaughter, Haleigh Sawyer; two great-grandsons, Gavin and Owen Sawyer; special great-nephews, Trey Price and Dillen Haynes; and special great-nieces, Anna Haynes and Jaclyn Price; two brothers and four sisters. Visitation will be Tuesday, June 21st from 6-8 p.m. at Regency Funeral Home in Malvern. Services will be Wednesday, June 22nd at 2 p.m. in the Regency Chapel with Brother Ben Palmer, Will Wallace and Glenn Alston officiating. Interment will follow at Lono Cemetery. Pallbearers are Jedidiah and Joshua Sawyer, John Daniel and Ethan Parks, William White, Mark Haynes, and Tad Price. Honorary pallbearers are the gang from the Country Corner in Lono. A special thanks is given to Dr. John Brizzolaro, Dr. Joseph Beck, CARTI and SMH Hospice and their staff. You may sign the guestbook at regencyfuneralhome.com.