Elonzo Herbert Sayre, Jr.

Elonzo Herbert “Bert” Sayre, Jr., 66, of Rogers, Arkansas passed away on May 13, 2017 at the Northwest Medical Center in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Bert was born on July 12, 1950 in Amarillo, Texas, a son of Elonzo Herbert Sayre and Clara (Neighbors) Sayre.  He was a member of Masonic Lodge 316, and throughout his Masonic career, he had been a member of several Masonic Lodges.  He was also a member of the Shrine, Scottish Rite, York Rite, and Sojourners Chapter 551.  Bert enjoyed being a Mason and was always there when needed. He will be missed by many of his Masonic brothers. 

During his lifetime he was an EMT/paramedic who trained others and taught CPR and First aid. He was a first responder and a volunteer firefighter for Johnson and Winslow who did the training of the other firefighters. He was a member of the Jaycee’s and was active with their haunted house for years.  He was an avid dart player and with his partner Eddie Leisure won several tournaments, trophies, and prize monies. He was a Harley Davisson enthusiast and finally in 2012 he became the proud own of one. He loved riding with Pat, Memaw, his sons, and his friends. He was a heavily decorated Navy Veteran with honors that included a Purple Heart.

Bert was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha (ΛΧΑ) during his short stint at Texas State University. He was a football player from Elementary school to college until he left school for the US Navy.  During his formative years in Amarillo, Texas he got a lot of mischief with his best friend Randell. They went into the US Navy together where Randell lost his life in Vietnam, which was a great loss that Bert felt the rest of his life.

He was very close to his Grandpa, Daniel Sayre, and loved spending his summers with him in Stuttgart, Arkansas. He was a hardworking man that spent most of his professional life as a mechanic usually in a managerial role. But he was also a class A CDL truck driver, quality control at a food production plant, an insurance and Amway salesman, foreman of a chicken farm, a leather smith and owner a boat shop with his father, and his last job was a care giver with his daughter Willow at ASN. He truly was a jack of all trades.

He loved to hunt, fish, camp, and travel. He enjoyed spending time with his wife, kids, and grandkids. He was a lifelong learner whom had some college, as-a-matter-of-fact, he was presently taking online college classes to get a degree in constitutional law. However, even if he was not formally in school he self-educated. He loved knowledge. His favorite subjects were History, Politics, and Religion. He was a Baptist and a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. He was a good man, a good husband, a good father, a good grandfather, and a good friend. He will be miss, loved and remembered fondly.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Bonnie Claypool Sayre; a son, Dale Dwayne Cannady.

Bert is survived by his wife of 25 years, Patsy Lee Sayre of the home; four children, Janette Leann Sayre-Bryant, Sabrina K. Willow Sayre-Russell and husband Iven and family, David Lynn Cannady and fiancée Modest and Shawn Michael Lee and wife Melissa all of Rogers, Arkansas; ten grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; and two sisters, Doris Cleek and Brenda Chanler.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at the Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home in Springdale from 5:00pm to 7:00pm with Masonic Rites beginning at 6:30pm.  There will be a reception held that night from 7:00pm-9:00pm at the American Legion, 200 Spring St. Springdale.  Donations can be made to www.support.woundedwarrierproject.org  Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home.