SCARBOROUGH — James “Jim,” “Grandpa,” “Umpa” Morgan Sawyer, 78, of Windham, passed away Feb. 24, 2011 at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House.

James was born on Oct. 12, 1932 in St. Paul, Minn., the son of the late Harry Raymond Sawyer and Dorotha Marie Runyon. He served in the United States Air Force from 1951 to 1955, during that time he fought in the Korean Conflict War as an aerial photographer.

On Dec. 12, 1953, Jim married the love of his life, Barbara Ann Leighton, at the St. Lawrence Congregational Church in Portland. He worked for Benson and Grant, Kennison Floors and Fashion Floors from 1955 to 1961. He retired from Pine State Elevator in 1995 after working there for 34 years as a construction supervisor and continued on as a State Elevator Inspector until 2000.

Jim was one of the founding fathers of Windham Little League baseball that was established in 1967. He was also one of the creators of the Windham Athletic Boosters in 1971.

Jim was a life member of the Deering MemorialVFW Post 6859 since 1985, serving as Post Commander from 1988 to 1990. He also served on the National Security & Foreign Affairs Committee. He was National Aide-de-Camp, Department of Maine Youth Activities chairman and served as committee member for National Youth Activities from 1990-1992. He was working as the VFW Post Quartermaster and had held that position since 1995, as well as District 10 Quartermaster. He served as Maine State VFW Commander from 2002-2003.

Jim is survived by his wife, Barbara, of 57 years; two children, Ken Sawyer of Windham and Karen (Sawyer) Kelley of Naples; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; three sisters, Marilyn Hodgdon of Portland, Blanche Pramis of Buxton and Carol Hall of Windham.

Visitation was held on Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at the Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford Street, Portland. Funeral services followed at the funeral home, with Post Chaplin William R. Doughty officiating. Interment at the convenience of the family will be at the Maine Veterans Cemetery Augusta.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: The Animal Refuge League, 449 Stroudwater St., Westbrook, ME 04092-4097.

Please visit www.jonesrichandhutchins.com for additional information and to sign Jim’s guestbook.