Duane T. Sawyer, 51, died peacefully at sunrise Sept. 4 of liver disease, in the presence of his two sisters.
A native of Lawrenceburg, Tenn., Duane earned his B.A. in Music from Middle Tennessee State University. After four happy years in Nashville, he moved to Chicago in August 1976. He worked in both cities as a typesetter for various typography and graphics firms. During his first years in Chicago, he also worked as a typesetter for the now defunct GayLife Magazine and later for Gay Chicago Magazine.
A skilled musician, Duane played organ at numerous churches in Nashville and in Chicago. He performed as a tenor with the William Ferris Chorale for several years. Duane was an adventurous leatherman familiar to many residents and visitors in Lakeview and vicinity. He produced graphics for the old Carol’s Speakeasy, and a monthly calendar of events for the original Touché on Lincoln Avenue.
Duane was a lover of language, a poet, an avid reader of literature and biographies, and a man of superb intellect and keen wit. He is also known among his friends as an excellent cook who honed his culinary skills reading the works of M.F.K. Fischer and Julia Childs.
“Duane was a sensitive sensualist,” said his partner of 15 years, Mark Collier, “who knew instinctively how to make an apartment into a beautiful comfortable home.” Duane will also be missed deeply by his sisters Darla Sawyer Shelley of Hot Springs, Ark., and Daleta Kee Sawyer of Knoxville, Tenn., and their families, as well as by an extended family of friends and by his cat Simon.
In keeping with his character, Duane has requested that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to either an individual with HIV or liver disease who is in need of assistance, or to any foundation “that doesn’t use an athletic event as a fundraiser.”
Arrangements by the Cremation Society of Illinois, (773) 281-5058.
Kay Gardner memorial
Women’s music pioneer Kay Gardner died of a heart attack Aug. 28 [see Sept. 4 Windy City Times]. Numerous memorials are planned, including one in Chicago Saturday, Sept. 21. E-mail Ann Morris at annvada@earthlink.net or Toni Armstrong Jr. at ToniAJr@aol.com. See www.KayGardner.com.