Lon William Sawyer was born in Belvidere Illinois on December 28, 1948, to parents Mary and Frances Sawyer. He passed in his beloved Morrison Colorado on March 7, 2023, at age 74 from non-alcoholic psoriasis of the liver and Parkinson’s Syndrome attributed to Agent Orange through his time in the US Army RECONDO Rangers. He is survived by his wife, Marcia nee Fry, his daughters Michelle VanAken and Katherine Sawyer, his sister Linda Cole, his grandchildren Nicholas and Natalya VanAken, and various nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

A man with great dreams, Lon lived his life in the fullest manner that he found. For 25 years he dedicated his life to saving others as a Paramedic in the communities of Colorado including Denver, Breckenridge, Bailey, Sterling, Costilla County, and Alamosa. When asked why he chose such a significantly different career from his military days, he said, “The Army taught me how to take a life. I wanted to be able to give a person at least ‘one more day’.” This passion for one more day grew past EMS and into wildfire and disaster management. Lon helped found Platte Canyon Search and Rescue and enjoyed teaching the next generation of medics and firefighters. In his free time, Lon enjoyed the thrill of organizing and racing tunnel boats. Later in life, he moved to training horses. It was there he discovered a natural gift for working with the large animals and it brought him and many others great joy.

Lon would be the first to say that his greatest joy was his family. While situations made it difficult to be in Michelle’s life at a young age, he strove to be there whenever she needed him. As she grew and became a Physical Education Teacher for K-5, he would be the first to spread her accomplishments with deep pride. This continued with Katherine as she started singing and later began writing. Lon also brought in the son of his heart Ernie Aughy to the family fold seventeen years ago.

Lon will be remembered as a loveable, grumpy, fiery old man who lived a vibrant life. An orator of history, usually his own, who was always there to lend a hand to those who needed it and a sarcastic comment when you needed a smile. Never one to shy away from the hard work when it needed to be done. A friend, hero, brother, uncle, father, and grandfather, Lon William Sawyer will be deeply missed by those who found themselves lucky enough to be in his orbit.

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