John Sawyer, age 90, passed away on July 9, 2015 at Marjorie P. Lee, Hyde Park. John was born March 11, 1925 in Glendale, Ohio and was the son of the late Charles Sawyer, former U.S. Secretary of Commerce and the late Margaret Johnston Sawyer. He was the beloved husband of the late Ruth Dennis Sawyer of 60 years and treasured father of Anne(Rex) Wetherill, Elizabeth(Blake) Selnick, Catherine Sawyer and Mary(Bobby) Stephens, devoted grandfather of John(Holly) Putnam, Meredith(Mark) St. Amour, Daniel & Matthew Wetherill, Will & Anna Selnick, Nicholas(Stephanie) Ryall, Christina, Jonathan & Patrick Ryall, Robert, Charles & Sarah Stephens, adored great-grandfather of Aiden & Allison Putnam and Hudson St. Amour. John was a graduate of Princeton University, and enlisted in the Air Force and became a B-17 pilot during World War II. His love of flying and farming led him to his aunt's farm in London, Ohio to start the J. Sawyer Company, a multi-faceted agricultural and real estate firm. He was a pioneer in the aerial application of crop pesticides and was inducted into the Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame. John was also a founder of The Cincinnati Bengals and acted as team president from 1968 through 1993 and also served as a vice president from 1994 until his passing. John was with Paul and Mike Brown as the trio that represented Cincinnati during the city's bid to gain an American Football League Franchise and was also a former part owner of the Cincinnati Reds and served on the leadership team that helped construct Riverfront Stadium, the home of the Bengals and Reds for more than three decades. John was unassuming and approachable and had a natural ability to make everyone he touched feel special. He gave generously to many organizations and charities including Children's Hospital (member of the Board of Trustees), Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio, Boy Scouts of America, Easter Seals (Past President), Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati(Co-Founder), Springer School, and numerous other charities. In 1996 he started Sawyer Products Company to market products to raise money for The Boomer Esiason Foundation to help find a cure for cystic fibrosis. He also served on several company boards. He was a true community leader and had a great love for this country. He will be sorely missed. Visitation to be held Wednesday, July 22nd, 4pm - 7pm at The Gwen Mooney Funeral Home, 4389 Spring Grove Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45223, with service on Thursday, July 23rd, 11am at the Indian Hill Church, 6000 Drake Road, Cincinnati, OH 45243.

Published by The Cincinnati Enquirer on Jul. 12, 2015.