Danny Harold Sawyer

Mr. Danny Harold Sawyer, 63, of Kershaw, died at home Monday, April 26, 2010. Donna, his loving wife of 40 years, was at his side. Mr. Sawyer was born in Erwin, NC, on January 12, 1947, the son of the late Harold and Eunice Odom Sawyer.Mr. Sawyer, a graduate of Erwin High School, earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Appalachian State University, where he also played football and a Masters Degree from Winthrop University. Professionally, Mr. Sawyer helped to shape the lives of countless young people as a teacher and football coach for over 30 years. In 1991, Sawyer was the head coach of the Great Falls Red Devils when they won the state championship with a 15-0 record. He also saw great success at other high schools throughout South Carolina, including East Clarendon, Buford, Lancaster, and Goose Creek before retiring.In addition to his professional achievements, Mr. Sawyer was an avid golfer and a regular at the Kershaw Country Club. He was an accomplished dancer, participating in the annual Shagging on the Strand festival at North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He enjoyed weight lifting and won several bench-press contests. He was well-known as a fun-loving spirit who loved life, his family, and his freedom. Spiritually, he was a member of Beaver Creek Presbyterian Church where he served as an elder and featured soloist.Personally, Danny Sawyer was an easy-going, good humored person who loved the world and people around him. He enjoyed traveling to various locations around the country and the world and was even able to embark on a cruise through the Greek Islands, even as his health was declining. He always stressed that all of his journeys were going to be to places where the water is blue and the sand is warm. Coach Danny Sawyer will be missed greatly by many people throughout this area. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He wanted the most he could get out of life even when he was faced with a life-limiting diagnosis. For example, despite his condition, Coach Sawyer participated in physical therapy sessions up to the week before his death.He is survived by his wife Donna Ussery Sawyer of the home; two sons Benjamin Sawyer, daughter-in-law Shruti and grand-daughter Salena Shah of Atlanta, GA; and Alexander Sawyer, daughter-in-law Tiffany and grand-daughter Olivia Grace of Decatur, GA; a sister, Andria Glover and her husband Darryl, of Erwin, NC; and an aunt, Louise Byrd, of Wake Forest, NC; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, May 1, at the Baker Conference Center, 105 N. Minor Street, Kershaw, SC. The Revs. Jesse Hegler, Bob Moss, Clay Fouse and Dr. Clarence Founce will officiate. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice Services, P.O. Box 993, Rock Hill, SC 28731 or Beaver Creek Presbyterian Church, 1928 Kershaw Country Club Road, Kershaw, SC 29067.