Douglas Fullbrook Sawyer

May 1, 1949 - April 15, 2022

LA JOLLA, CA — Doug Sawyer, beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend, and highly regarded San Diego community and business leader, passed away peacefully with his family at his side after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Doug was born in Lincoln, Nebraska and moved to California at an early age. In San Diego, he attended Kearny High School where he played basketball. Recently, recognizing his contributions to the community, the school inducted him into the Distinguished Kearny Komet Hall of Fame. He spent his college days at San Diego State University, studying business and accounting, and developing a lifelong love of Aztecs sports.

After college, Doug lived out his sports dream spending two years as a pro-baseball umpire in the California League. In 1976, he retired his mask and chest protector, but held on to the satisfying memories of those remarkable years.

He took his business and leadership skills to the banking world, where he spent 25 successful years serving as First Vice President of Great American Bank, and then as Executive Vice President of Bank of America.

After a brief retirement, Doug decided it was time to do something different and give back to the city that he had grown to love. He turned his attention to the nonprofit community, taking on the responsibilities of President & CEO of United Way San Diego. His penchant for caring, guiding and giving to others helped him lead United Way through a transformation – strategically investing to improve San Diegans’ selfsufficiency and children’s early-grade reading, and ending homelessness.

Doug often commented how lucky he was to have Marilyn, his partner and wife of 34 years, beside him in all of his pursuits. She was his staunchest supporter as he gave his time to a wide variety of local causes including the improvement of public education, as well as supporting regional sporting events. He was a past chairman of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, and served as President and lifetime board member of the Holiday Bowl.

He was also a graduate and lifetime member of LEAD San Diego (class of 1985), and served on the boards of the Children’s Initiative, San Diego Opera, American Red Cross, San Diego Grantmakers, Old Globe Theater, Reuben H. Fleet Space Center and Children’s Hospital Foundation. Fellow community leaders recognized Doug as “one of the good guys,” accomplishing all that he did in his calm, respectful manner. His friends and associates agree that San Diego is a better city because Doug was here.

Outside of his work and community engagement, Doug was a die-hard sports fan and could be found regularly on the golf course, or at Petco Park and Qualcomm Stadium, cheering on his beloved Padres and Aztecs. But the days he cherished most were with Marilyn and his children, as they regularly returned to their favorite spots - Palm Desert, Rincon Beach, Kona Village and Lake Tahoe. Doug took great pride in watching his three children grow up and excel in their personal and professional lives, and more recently found tremendous joy in his new role as “Pop-pop” to his two grandsons.

Doug is survived by Marilyn, children Todd (Karen), Paige (Jeff ) and Marc (Julie) grandchildren Jackson and Conor, his beloved pup Riley, and countless loving brothers/sistersin-law and nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Doug’s Life will be held on Tuesday, May 24th at 2:00pm at Liberty Station, Building 177, 2875 Dewey Road, San Diego.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to support the advancement of Parkinson’s research and treatment. Donations can be sent to: Scripps Health Foundation, P.O. Box 2669, La Jolla CA 92038. In the memo include Scripps Clinic Movement and Neurorestoration Program in memory of Doug Sawyer.

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