Gerald C. Sorensen Jr.

Gerald C. Sorensen, Jr was born October 25, 1938 in Yuba City, CA to Vera Maude and Gerald C. Sorensen, Sr. Along with his siblings, Vivian, Kenneth, Gaye and Arlo, they grew up in Vallejo, CA, playing baseball in the street, taking family road trips – that often started with cold hot dogs and powdered doughnuts and growing a legacy of love. They made life-long friends with each other and many others along the way. As adults, Gerald and his siblings enjoyed annual trips together.

Gerald graduated from high school at the age of 16, having skipped kindergarten and 7th grade. He attended Vallejo Junior College, then 2 years at Brigham Young University, until he left for a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served 2.5 years in Norway, a country he grew to love deeply and made life-long friends. He kept up his Norwegian language skills throughout his entire life. After his mission, he played basketball for Vallejo JC for one year, then back to BYU for 4 years, where he graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and enjoyed much of his professional career working for Washington Public Power Supply System (WPPSS) as a licensing engineer. Upon retirement from WPPSS he went to work the next day for Battelle. His favorite job was working at a gas station in his teen years.

Gerald met Nancy Ann Clarke when they were 10 years old. They had a large group of friends and dated prior to his mission. Upon returning from Norway, Gerald and Nancy married in the Los Angeles Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in December 1961. Together they also served an 18-month mission to Norway from 2009-2011. They supported their children in multiple sports, music, education, and many opportunities for personal growth.

With Nancy’s full support, Gerald served faithfully in many assignments for The Church, including Young Men’s Leader, Bishop, Stake President, Columbia River Temple Sealer and Richland Stake Patriarch. He faithfully ministered to many. He was even sure to finish his ministering visits the day he went to the emergency room in July 2024, where he received a diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). He was active in his community, serving on the Richland School Board for eight years, assisting in Scouting organizations (earned the Silver Beaver Award) and coaching basketball, softball, baseball and soccer.

Waterskiing was one of Gerald’s favorite activities, especially at Twin Lakes or the Columbia River. He has shared that love with anyone willing to try. He also enjoyed pulling anyone on inner tubes behind his boat for “a relaxing ride”. He was quick to offer a bowl of ice cream to those who visited his home. At Twin Lakes, the grandchildren followed him like ducklings as he led the way to buy ice cream for them. He will always be remembered for “pinching out the candle”, sharing his testimony and serving all those around him. Gerald loved people. And people love him.

His children, Caryn (Keith) Thornhill, Kristin (Jonathan) Hunt, Kraig (Stephanie) Sorensen, Ryan (Amy) Sorensen, Rustin (Deeana) Sorensen, Steven (Rozann) Sorensen and Alison (Jeff) Risenmay have been blessed by a father who loves their mother, taught them to work and serve others, and shared his love of Jesus Christ daily through his words and actions. Gerald is blessed with 33 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren.

He passed peacefully at home surrounded by his large posterity. He is preceded in death by his parents and two grandchildren, Stuart and Riley.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 15 at 11:00 am, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1720 Thayer Drive, Richland. A viewing will be held on Friday, February 14, 5-7 pm; and Saturday, February 15, 10-10:30 am at the same location as the funeral.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Humanitarian or Missionary fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.