James Sorrells

James Carroll Sorrells was born to Walter Bartlett Sorrells and Zana Lee Willis Sorrells in Providence Hospital on April 9, 1928.

James has been called by many names beginning with James Carroll to his immediate family, J.C., Jimmy, Jim, and Jake by co-workers at Central Texas Iron Works, Dad, Pop and Babe. James’ favorite name was to answer to “Pa” which he was called by his grandchildren.

Jimmy is survived by many family members, including his wife Helen Anita Stewart Sorrells, his children James Mark Sorrells, daughter Sharon and husband Randy Rudloff and Steve and wife Becky Sorrells. His grandchildren are James Travis and wife Ashley Pfennig, Christian Pfennig, Jack Sorrells, Emily Sorrells and Allie Sorrells. “Pa” was proud to have welcomed his first great-grandchild into this world, Tanner Bradley Pfennig. Nieces and nephews include A.D. Sorrells, Evelyn Sorrells, Donna Sorrells Porter, Helen Jean Marroquin Barton, Marsha Lee, Margaret Gauntt, Ruth Schroeder, Fred Stewart, Jr., Gary Stewart, Nancy Boccieri, Tim Valenta, Kenneth Valenta, Glenda Pettit, Wanda Crawford, and Carol Lopez de Castillo.

James Carroll grew up in and around Waco at his father’s cotton gins and fields. When W.B. Sorrells passed away when James was 14, his mother Zana provided for the family by sewing and baking pies. At age 16, James went off to Abilene Christian College, working his way through school to earn his degree in Business, with continued financial assistance from his mother. It was while working at his maintenance job on campus that he met and fell in love with his future wife Helen Stewart of San Antonio. He graduated in 1947 and returned to Waco, where his friend from Herring Avenue church, Malcolm Allan Horton, told him about a job opening at the iron works. Jimmy and Helen were married July 2, 1949.

James began leading singing at the Columbus Avenue Church of Christ at age 13, and continued throughout his life in the churches he attended. He was a strong believer in God our Creator, through His Son Jesus Christ who redeemed us from sin. James believes God will take him in His own calling and discretion to reside in Heaven with Him, Jesus and all the Redeemed eternally.

Jimmy throughout his life has enjoyed being a people helper. He is considered by his family and friends to be a strong man of God, a leader, a builder, one who liked to set his mind, his will and his hands to worthwhile accomplishments. He was a faithful provider for his wife, his family, his church, his friends and his community.

One of the highlights of James’ life was to serve on the Abilene Christian University Board of Trustees, where he served for 20 years.

The Elders of Herring Avenue Church of Christ asked James to organize the beginning of the Crestview Church of Christ in 1955, where he faithfully served as songleader, on the building committee, and as a deacon and elder of the church.

Jake served on the Midway ISD School Board, Midway Booster Club, Boy Scouts, assistant coach in Woodway baseball, Woodway Boys’ Club, and the Woodway City Council. While serving on City Council, he and Buck Tein were assigned to get the water and sewer system introduced and installed in the City of Woodway, which they accomplished.

Jimmy was a leader in church outreach and Vacation Bible School mission trips to Salida and Paonia, Colorado. He and his wife Helen also hosted dozens of outings and events held on what they called “the farm,” including campouts, hay rides, Midway High Band and Football parties, picnics, cookouts, and ball games. In winter months, family and friends would also join in firewood cutting and pecan picking, highlighted by a traditional break for lunch at Mrs. Smith’s Cafe for her delicious hamburgers and chili. This farmland was later developed into Riverside, a home development located on Speegleville Road on the Middle Bosque river.

James had always planned to retire at age 55 to do church work and counseling. In 1983, Jake retired from his secular work after 35 years of service with Central Texas Iron Works. He had begun at CTIW in 1949 as a bookkeeper, was made Vice President of Purchasing in 1965, and retired in 1983. Jim returned to graduate school at Abilene Christian University, and received his Masters in Marriage and Family Counseling in 1985. He was a member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), and was licensed in the State of Texas. He served as a marriage and family counselor for twenty years.

James was also deeply interested in researching his family’s genealogy, which he successfully traced for the Sorrells family back to the 1490’s, and for the Stewart family back into the 1650’s. His research is being continued by his family.

Honorary Pallbearers are: Jimmy Dan Bourland, Doyle Helms, Walter Hill and Alan Horton. Russell Smith is honorary pallbearer, standing in for his father Tommy Smith, who was his best friend.

Visitation will be at Grace Gardens Funeral Home, on Saturday, December 1, 2012 from to 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Grace Gardens is located at 8220 Woodway Drive, Woodway, Texas 76712. Their phone is (254) 741-0404, www.gracegardensfh.com

The funeral service will be held on Sunday, December 2, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the Crestview Church of Christ, 7129 Delhi Road, Waco, TX 76712. The phone number for Crestview Church is (254) 776-0711.

Providence Hospital has been a helpful organization throughout the years, and the family wants to give thanks to Dr. Falcone, Dr. Shoultz, Dr. Loden and the Providence Hospice, with special gratitude to Kay Abbe and Patty Stovall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to an education scholarship fund that honors his mother, Zana Sorrells Endowed Scholarship fund, ACU Box 29200, Abilene, Texas 79699-9200. James was proud that to this date, 203 students have been helped by this fund. The family gives its sincere thanks for your continuing this memorial.

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Funeral Service

2PM ,Sunday, December 2, 2012
Crestview Church of Christ
7129 Delhi Waco, TX 76712

Visitation

6:30PM - 8:30PM ,Saturday, December 1, 2012
Grace Gardens Funeral Home Chapel
8220 Woodway Drive Waco, TX 76712