Loyd Sorrells

Loyd Junior Sorrells, 90 of Panhandle passed away Sunday, August 13, 2017 in Amarillo leaving behind a strong, and loving family.

Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Thursday August 17, 2017 at the Panhandle First United Methodist Church with Pastor Rob Blum of Amarillo officiating. Burial will follow at the Panhandle Cemetery under the direction of Minton Chatwell Funeral Directors of Panhandle. A visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Minton Chatwell Funeral Directors in Panhandle.

Loyd Junior Sorrells was born to Arvie and Pearl Mae Sorrells in Wellington, TX, May 7th, 1927 during the depression years. He was a member of the greatest generation. He had five brothers and four sisters. All of whom farmed, worked the land, pulled cotton, planted gardens, trained horses, and raised cattle and hogs. His family helped the neighbors work fields and build houses and barns. When he was young the notorious Bonnie and Clyde came through Wellington, TX and made quite a stir in and around town. He was drafted by the 7th Army in 1945, had basic training at Fort Hood TX, and then left California sailing for Japan. The Pacific war ended while in route and his ship was turned back to sail around Africa and up to New York City. His unit then crossed the Atlantic where he served in Germany for one year. His three brothers served in WWII; Bruce at Guadal Canal for the Navy, Elmer at Green Land for the Army, and Leslie in Pacific for the Air force. Junior was awarded the WWII Victory medal, National Defense Service medal and the Honorable Service Lapel button WWII for his service. He was re-activated in 1950 for the Korean War where he met Elvis Presley, Eddie Fisher, and Roy Clark. He was assigned driving duties for President Dwight D. Eisenhower when he was in country during this time. Dad mentioned that he was on his best behavior when driving and avoided any pot holes in the road.

Junior was honorably discharged in 1952 and went to work for Strain Construction Company where he performed demolition dynamiting for new roads being built in Hobbs New Mexico and later throughout South Texas. In the late 1950's he worked for Asarco Copper Refinery in Amarillo, TX. By the early 1960's he was selling Rex Air vacuum cleaners around the Lubbock area, then in 1967 went to work for the Texas Highway Department in Vega, TX. In 1970 Junior transferred to Panhandle, TX where he retired in 1989 with 22 years of service.

Junior married June Main in the summer of 1960 and had three sons, Steve, Darren, and Tim. He is survived by his wife June Sorrells, his three sons, Steve, Darren, and Tim and wife Kim, all of Amarillo. One brother, Leslie Sorrells and wife Nancy of Idaho, one sister Sue Grissom of Amarillo, along with six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Junior and June were married 57 years and traveled throughout the United States on many fishing trips where they spent many years at South Padre Island fishing during the winter months, and enjoyed summers in the mountains of New Mexico and Colorado. His family is extremely proud of the example he left for us to follow and will miss him dearly.

Visitation

Minton Chatwell Funeral Directors
510 N. Main St.
Panhandle, TX  79068
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Service

Funeral Service

First United Methodist Church
600 Main
Panhandle, TX  79068
Thursday, August 17, 2017
1:00 p.m.

Cemetery

Panhandle Cemetery
East 6th. Street
Panhandle, TX  79068