Daniel John Sawyer "Thunderman"

Dan passed away Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at Henry Ford Health Systems, Detroit at the age of 73 years. He was born in Mojave, California on October 23, 1947 to the late Robert and Antonia (Perez) Sawyer. He proudly served his country in the United States Army 82nd Airborne Division in the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged. He was a member of BAC Local 2 in Bay City. In high school Dan was involved with boxing and was part of the Golden Gloves. Dan enjoyed fishing, hunting and was an amateur boxing coach. He was also a coach and referee for Toughman and spent a lot of time in the gym. He loved spending time with his grandkids and dogs.
Dan is survived by his wife of 56 years, Deborah Sawyer; children, Samantha Sawyer, Farrah (Gabe) Velazquez and Shane (Crystal) Sawyer; grandchildren, Mariah (Lawrence) Choyce, Daniel Oswald, Ivan Oswald, Brooklyn Velazquez and Dominic Velazquez; great grandchildren, Addison Choyce, Ian Choyce, Rylie Choyce, Amara Oswald and Dexter Oswald; brothers, James and Barney (Valerie) Sawyer; sisters, Gladys Fitzgibbon and Julia Pengilley and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Dan was also preceded in death by his sons, Daniel J. Sawyer II "Boogie" and Shaun Sawyer; brother, Arthur Sawyer; father and mother-in-law, Donald and Margaret "Babe" Phillips and brother-in-law, Craig Phillips.
Funeral service will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 20, 2021 at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. Military honors will be performed under the auspices of the Bay County Veterans Council. Officiating will be Pastor Todd Gould. Friends may visit at the funeral home on Saturday from 11:00 until the time of the service. We are currently still under the governor's executive order of social distancing and limited to 25 visitors in the chapel at one time. You may experience a wait while paying your respects, face coverings must be worn. Contributions may be made to the wishes of the family. Family has requested that no scents, perfumes or colognes to be worn to the funeral home. For online condolences visit www.gephartfuneralhome.com

The Link for the Streaming of the Service is:
https://iframe.dacast.com/b/156599/c/545792
Please join the stream at 12:50 p.m.  Saturday, March 20, 2021