Mark Allyson Sawyer
(Posted 1/19/2010)
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Mark Allyson Sawyer, 43, passed away Jan. 6 at his home in Mexia. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 16, at Blair-Stubbs Funeral Home in Mexia.
Mr. Sawyer was born July 7, 1966, in Fort Worth, the son of Bruce and Janis Sawyer. His primary enjoyment and motivation in life came from filmmaking.
He won his first international award at the age of 16 for his short film Terror at Dawn. He went on to win numerous other national and international awards over the span of his career, spurring the producer of the well-known PBS program The Territory to describe him as, "simply the best filmmaker in this region [the Southwest] to emerge in over 20 years."
In addition to making short films, Mr. Sawyer co-produced -- along with his long-time friend and creative collaborator, Jay Reel -- an audio drama series for National Public Radio called Tales from the Morgue. He also served as cinematographer for Mr. Reel's first feature-length film, Dawn.
He was a soft-spoken, kind and gentle person, inspiring the love and devotion of friends and family alike. Those who got to know him found a loyal friend with a wonderful sense of humor. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Mr. Sawyer was preceded in death by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Myers, and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sawyer; and his father, Bruce Sawyer.
He is survived by his mother Jan Sawyer; his sister Kellye Bennett and spouse Terry; his brother Michael Sawyer and spouse Kim; his sister Kris Rhodes and spouse Scott; and his nieces and nephews Jennifer and Jordan Bennett; Jonathan and Jeremiah Rhodes; and Charles Sawyer.
In honor of Mr. Sawyer's passion for filmmaking, a memorial fund has been created to benefit the organization that helped him get his start and that was always there to support him: The Southwest Alternate Media Project. Donations in his name may be made to: SWAMP, 1519 West Main St, Houston, TX ,77006, or on the web at www.swamp.org.
Please visit www.blair-stubbs.com to leave a memorial message or sign the guest register.
(Posted 1/19/2010)
Mr. Sawyer was born July 7, 1966, in Fort Worth, the son of Bruce and Janis Sawyer. His primary enjoyment and motivation in life came from filmmaking.
He won his first international award at the age of 16 for his short film Terror at Dawn. He went on to win numerous other national and international awards over the span of his career, spurring the producer of the well-known PBS program The Territory to describe him as, "simply the best filmmaker in this region [the Southwest] to emerge in over 20 years."
In addition to making short films, Mr. Sawyer co-produced -- along with his long-time friend and creative collaborator, Jay Reel -- an audio drama series for National Public Radio called Tales from the Morgue. He also served as cinematographer for Mr. Reel's first feature-length film, Dawn.
He was a soft-spoken, kind and gentle person, inspiring the love and devotion of friends and family alike. Those who got to know him found a loyal friend with a wonderful sense of humor. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Mr. Sawyer was preceded in death by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Myers, and Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sawyer; and his father, Bruce Sawyer.
He is survived by his mother Jan Sawyer; his sister Kellye Bennett and spouse Terry; his brother Michael Sawyer and spouse Kim; his sister Kris Rhodes and spouse Scott; and his nieces and nephews Jennifer and Jordan Bennett; Jonathan and Jeremiah Rhodes; and Charles Sawyer.
In honor of Mr. Sawyer's passion for filmmaking, a memorial fund has been created to benefit the organization that helped him get his start and that was always there to support him: The Southwest Alternate Media Project. Donations in his name may be made to: SWAMP, 1519 West Main St, Houston, TX ,77006, or on the web at www.swamp.org.
Please visit www.blair-stubbs.com to leave a memorial message or sign the guest register.
