Micah William “Poopie” Hamlow-Sawyer, age 22, of Santa Rosa, California, died on June 21, 2019, from fentanyl poisoning. He was born on October 16, 1996, in Santa Rosa and grew up surrounded by family, friends, and a community that loved him.
Micah was known for his incredibly big heart and beautiful smile that lit up every room he entered. He gave the best bear hugs, made friends everywhere he went, and brought joy and laughter to those around him. His greatest joy was being with people—whether bouncing into a room full of energy, spending time outdoors, or simply sharing his love with family and friends.
In high school, Micah was one of the most popular kids at Analy High School. He captained the football team, broke the school’s weightlifting record, and wrestled competitively. In the fall of 2018, Micah and his teammates from the 2012 varsity football team were inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame. He was not only an athlete but also a natural leader who inspired others with his drive and determination.
Micah shared countless adventures with his family. He free dove in the ocean for abalone, spearfished, earned scuba certification at age 12, and traveled to Fiji for an unforgettable diving trip. Summers were filled with camping, riding motorcycles and quads, hunting, boating, and wakeboarding. His father, who coached him through wrestling tournaments, remembers these moments as some of their most cherished times together.
After high school, Micah completed the Construction Management program at Sonoma State University and began working in the family business, where he thrived and quickly learned the ins and outs of the trade. His family had hoped he would one day carry on the legacy.
But alongside his talents and accomplishments, Micah also faced the struggles of addiction. He first tried heroin at just 14 years old, and over time, it consumed much of his young adulthood. His family often worried deeply for his safety as he battled homelessness and relapse. Yet even in the hardest moments, Micah’s love for his family never faded. On Father’s Day, just days before his death, he sent his dad a message that said, “I love you.”
Micah had reassured his mother that he would never die because he “only smoked black tar heroin.” But on June 21, 2019, she found him in her garage. He had overdosed, with three times the lethal limit of fentanyl in his system.
Micah’s story is a reminder of the devastating grip of addiction and the deadly presence of fentanyl in the drug supply. He was more than his struggles—he was a son, a brother, a grandson, a nephew, a cousin, and a friend to so many. He was full of love, laughter, and light, and his memory will never fade.
Not a day goes by that his family does not think of him. Micah is forever missed, and forever loved.
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