Dr. Horace Kimbrell Sawyer, Jr.

Dr. Horace Kimbrell “Buzz” Sawyer Jr., age 87, of Atlanta, Georgia passed away on January 1, 2018. He was born September 4, 1930 in Atlanta, Georgia. He was one of three children, and the loving son of Horace Kimbrell Sawyer Sr. and Jewell Christine Smith Sawyer.

Horace was married to the love of his life, Mary Frances Garrison, from Morganton, North Carolina. They had just recently celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary the week prior to his passing.

Young Horace Jr. attended Kirkwood Grammar School, Bass Jr. High School, and Boys High School in Atlanta. Upon graduation, he began his college path at the University of Georgia before serving in the US Navy as a carrier pilot, assigned to the USS Boxer during the Korean conflict.

After his military service, Horace focused on graduate school as he worked toward his primary goal of attending medical school. To that end, he attained both a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Miami and a M.S. in Physiology from Florida State University. His dream of medical school was reached when he was accepted to the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Upon graduation from medical school in 1963, his initial medical residency brought him back to Atlanta, working at Georgia Baptist Hospital. Having over 55 years of diverse experience, especially in Family Practice, allowed him the opportunity to positively impact countless families through his endless compassion and care of his patients. He also served with distinction as an Aviation Medical Examiner allowing him to play an integral role in the professional aviation community.

Naturally inquisitive, he took great pleasure in acquiring and seeking new knowledge throughout his life. In addition to time spent focusing on medicine and his family, Dr. Sawyer was passionate about his many hobbies and activities. His aviation interest continued as he held leadership positions both locally and nationally with the Flying Physicians Association. He took great pleasure in flying his Stearman biplane in aerobatic exhibitions. His activities grew to include showing horses with his children, fly fishing, bird watching, Beekeeping, as well as Amateur Radio. As an Eagle Scout, he supported the Atlanta Area council serving as both a Cub Scout and Boy Scout Troop leader.

He was loved and adored by all, and lived a full life dedicated to the service and care of his family, friends, and patients. Dr. Sawyer was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Doris Christine Sawyer Sheppard. He is survived by his wife, Mary Frances Garrison Sawyer, five children: Kim, Leigh Anne, Julianna, Angela Jane, Ted, along with his sister, Dorothy Sawyer Stephens, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Family will receive friends on Thursday, January 11, 2018 from Noon until 2pm at A.S. Turner & Sons. The funeral service will be held immediately following at the A.S. Turner chapel at 2pm. Interment will follow at Indian Creek Cemetery in Stone Mountain, Georgia. We pray he rest in eternal peace.