Sawyer on election night in Ohio in 1996.
It is with great sadness that we must share the passing of a truly great leader and man; Thomas Sawyer, Akron '66, has died after battling a long illness, and is survived by his wife, Joyce, and daughter, Amanda. Sawyer’s leadership and service extends far beyond our fraternity—having served his community and this country for nearly 40 years, Sawyer was a pillar of Northeast Ohio and dedicated himself to improving the lives of the individuals who call it home. Remembered as Akron’s political workhorse, Sawyer was tireless in his efforts to fight for his community.
Beginning his political career in 1977, Sawyer was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives from 1977 to 1983, the mayor of Akron from 1984 to 1986, a congressman from Northeast Ohio from 1987 to 2003, and a member of the Ohio State Senate from 2007 to 2016. During his illustrious and impactful career, Sawyer accomplished a great deal for his community, but one of his greatest fights came while serving as Chairman of the House Post Office and Civil Service Subcommittee on Census and Population. Following the 1990 census, Sawyer was concerned that the census had missed more than two million Black Americans. Urging the Census Bureau to rectify this mistake, Sawyer was initially thwarted in his effort—he later called it, “gerrymander on a national scale.” However, his firm stance would later pay off when new procedures were put in place by the bureau for the 2000 Census, inspired in part by the National Academy study he fought for in 1990.
Sawyer supporting former President, Bill Clinton.
Above all else, Sawyer was a man dedicated to the city in which he was born and raised. Born in Akron in 1945, Sawyer went on to receive bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s in Urban Education, both from the University of Akron. He began his career as a teacher in Cleveland before winning his first election in 1977. Sawyer was loved by his community and will certainly be missed by all those he impacted throughout his life.