Robert Harrison "Buddy" Sawyers

Robert H. ???Buddy??? Sawyers, was born January 1, 1932 in Colbert, OK to Bob and Lila Sawyers. Buddy passed away November 12, 2018, having had a very full, happy, and rewarding life. Buddy served in the Navy during the Korean War as third mate aboard the USS Brown DD-546. After returning he married Norma June Kerley. They had three children: Jennifer Sanderson (Steve and granddaughter Shannon), Elizabeth Sawyers (grandson Jarrod and great-granddaughter Kimberly) and Robert ???Chip??? Sawyers. Buddy was married to Gloria Vasquez for 35 years and was father to stepchildren Viola Munoz, Tina Arellano (Gerald), Jimmy Vasquez, and Mark Vazquez, as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He moved to Las Cruces in 1958 and made a successful career in the construction industry. He eventually went to work for New Mexico State University and retired after 25 years of service. Following retirement, Buddy and Gloria moved to Chloride, NM and lived there for the next 10 years. There he enjoyed the great outdoors of New Mexico, from the deserts to the lakes and the mountains. While in Chloride they became ???snowbirds??? and traveled each winter to Yuma, AZ, making many lasting friendships during these trips. Never one to sit around, Buddy had numerous hobbies. He could often be found looking for antiques, panning for gold, digging up old bottles, or taking his metal detector out around town. In addition, summer days would find him riding the irrigation ditches cutting asparagus, while fall was devoted to picking up pecans. Not one to pass up ???easy money???, Buddy was recycling before it was in vogue, picking up aluminum cans and cashing them for his next Bud. A jigsaw puzzle, a good book, and a Seek & Find puzzle were always close at hand. Buddy and Gloria returned to Las Cruces in 2000 in order to spend more time with family and friends. After returning to town, they frequented the Farmer???s Market and enjoyed spending time at local flea markets. He enjoyed feeding and watching the birds, calling them ???my damn Democrats.??? Buddy???s sweet tooth was legendary, and he could always be counted on to have a hidden stash of ???goodies??? secreted about. He was preceded in death by his brother Jake Sawyers and sisters Frankie Smith and Susie Caruthers. He is survived by his wife Gloria and all their children and grandchildren. A public viewing will be held at 5 pm on Monday, November 19, 2018 at Getz Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, November 20, 2018 at Calvary Baptist beginning at 10 am with burial to follow at Masonic Cemetery. Arrangements by Getz Funeral Home, corner of Solano and Bowman Ave. To sign our local online guest book, please log onto www. GetzCares.com.
First Visitation
Monday, November 19, 2018 5:00pm - 7:00pm,
Getz Funeral Home Chapel
1410 E. Bowman Ave
Las Cruces, New Mexico 88001
Service Information
Tuesday, November 20, 2018 10:00am,
Calvary Baptist
Address Not Available