Michael Dean Sawyer

Michael Dean Sawyer 72 of Hamilton, MT entered into eternal rest on October 31, 2017 at Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital, surrounded by his family.

Mike was born to Elmer and Ruth Sawyer on February 26th 1945 at Marcus Daly Hospital in Hamilton, MT.  Mike was the youngest of 7 children.  He was also the smallest weighing just over 2 lbs.

He lived in several places throughout his life including Darby, MT., Hamilton MT., Anaconda MT. and California. He came home to live on the family homestead.

After high school he married Ruby McCullough in 1965 and joined the service. She had their marriage annulled in 1965.  Over his life he held many jobs, which included the smelter in Anaconda, Chevrolet Company in California, Montana State Hospital in Warm Springs, MT., and Philips 66 in Hamilton MT., Ravalli County Head start as a Bus driver, Barry and Carlotta Pierson’s Bakery, Donaldson Brothers Ready mix where he was injured and started receiving disability.  

Mike kept himself busy tinkering on anything that needed fixed or even if it didn’t need fixed. He loved fixing things like watches VCR’s, lawn mowers, necklaces, plumbing, electric wiring. And as we like to say dad liked to stupervise , that’s where he would get his son’s and son-in-law’s to do work and he would sit back and watch them work and even if he didn’t know how to do it he was telling them how to do it.  He even did a little wood working.  In 2008, his son Rick bought a restaurant and he kept himself busy helping out and visiting with the customers.

In 1973, Mike and a friend were in the Ponderosa Bar when two girls walked in, Mike told his friend “See that girl in the red pants she’s gonna be the mother of my children” that lady was Connie Squires he married her and her two kids Sherry and Paul in 1974.  In December of 1975 they had their Daughter Renee.  In June of 1979 they completed their family with the birth of their son Rodrick.  Mike and Connie raised their family in Hamilton on the Sawyer Family Homestead.  They divorced in 2001.  They remained friends and shared in many family memories with their kids, 13 grandkids and 12 great-grand kids.

Mike enjoyed camping and spending time in nature.  He enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Seeing his Grandkids and great-grand kids always brought a smile to his face and a song to his heart and they always enjoyed listing to him sing. Mike enjoyed singing and playing pool. 

Mike was preceded in death by his Mother Alva Ruth Prindle, Father Elmer Alvin Sawyer, step dad, Johnny Prindle, Brothers Robert, Donald, Stanley and Charles, Sisters Norma Johnson and Nadine Gilmore. He is survived by his ex-wife Connie Maki of Darby, Daughter Sherry Beavers of Corvallis, son and daughter-in-law Paul and Heather Beavers of Corvallis, daughter and son-in-law Renee and Shawn Few of Hamilton, son and daughter-in-law, Rodrick and Kirsten of Hamilton, sister-in-law Irene Sawyer of Hamilton and numerous nieces and nephews.

There will be a service December 9th, at the Hamilton Eagles lodge at 2 PM. Following there will be a potluck dinner (bring a dish to share), karaoke and pool.