David Russel (Dave) Sorrells |
| Posted 2016-12-04 by Sharla |
| The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, Arizona Tuesday, November 29, 2016 David Russel Sorrells was born July 22, 1952, in Wickenburg. Dave grew up in Parker. He spent a lot of time with his siblings and friends swimming in the Colorado River. When Dave was in eighth grade, his family moved to Montrose, Colo. This is where he met his future wife, Sheryl. They were married one year after high school in November 1972. They had two children, Brian and Stacy while living in Montrose. Dave loved hunting, riding his 1969 Harley, helping friends build hot rod motors and raising bulls. His garden was also something to envy. In 1985, Dave moved his family to Congress. Dave and Sheryl bought Congress Service station, and began a new era of desert living. Small town desert living proved to be a difficult adaptation. Dave changed his love of deer and elk hunting to snake hunting. Dave spent spare time driving fast on the desert roads with his kids and dogs in a red Corolla he called the rat car. After a five-year struggle to keep the gas station in business, the service station closed and Dave moved his family to Sorrells Ranch in Peeples Valley. He spent time here growing a fabulous garden and lawn. Dave then worked in Elko, Nev., with his brother-in-law doing some mining, but he didn’t like being this far from home, so he moved back and sought local work. He again utilized his mechanic skills and began a diesel mechanic job at Dickie Trucking in Bagdad. He made some great friends in the shop, but eventually the trucking company closed and he sought work elsewhere. He began pulling water wells in Hillside, with Benton Satathite and Dale Balow. He enjoyed this work, as he was able to be outside with nature. Dave briefly did some electrician work with PECO electric and plumbing with AZ Central Plumbing, both in Wickenburg. The physical labor became too much and he had to eventually give in to the reality that his back and body could no longer do physical labor. He retired on the ranch and turned his daily chores of caring for the cats, dogs, horses, rabbits and wild creatures into his job. He formed a special bond with the horse he helped his daughter raise. Willi Jay was his best friend for almost 30 years. He loved spending time feeding all animals. His hobbies at the ranch included flying remote control helicopters, internet surfing, grilling the perfect steak, and spending time talking and playing on his short band radio. Attending basketball games at Wickenburg High School with his teenage kids gave Dave an outlet to be loud and to cheer on the home team. Dave was a proud father. He loved to take his son Brian to Manzanita Speedway and watch the sprint car races. Dave eventually learned to love the desert, but his heart and home were always in the mountains of Colorado. He always missed hunting and the snow of the high country. Dave’s physical limitations worsened, and his activity became somewhat limited. After he was diagnosed with lung cancer he decide aggressive treatment wasn’t for him. Hospice assumed care and he was able to live out his wish of staying on the ranch that his mother homesteaded in the 1930s. On Nov. 23, he passed away peacefully in his home on the ranch with family at his bedside. No matter if you had a relationship with Dave, or a brief encounter, you never forgot his crazy sayings, hugs, jokes and boisterous personality. Dave is survived by his wife Sheryl of 44 years; mother and father Bonnie and Lee Sorrells; daughter Stacy Sorrells Lupke of Glendale; son Brian Sorrells of Cornville; sister Jacqueline Esquerra and brother Dick Sorrells. Preceding his death are brother Eddie Sorrells and horse Willi Jay. Services will be held at the Yarnell Community Church Saturday Dec. 3 at noon. All are welcome to attend. Arrangements are being handled by David’s Desert Chapel. |
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