George Lee Sorrell (October 12, 1935 - May 14, 2024) Duncan, OK

George Lee Sorrell, Sr. was born in Geary, Oklahoma, on October 12, 1935, to Thomas Joseph Sorrell and Blanche Ella (Sears) Sorrell. George told his last joke on earth and passed from this life on May 14, 2024, at the age of 88.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Whitt Funeral Home Chapel in Duncan, OK. There will not be a burial due to flooding at Fairlawn Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, May 17, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Whitt Funeral Home in Duncan, Oklahoma.

George was born the fifth child of 11 children and grew up during the Depression. They grew cotton and farmed in southwest Oklahoma. His parents instilled a non-stop work ethic that would stay with George his entire life which he often referred to as his Sorrell work-ethic.

Around 1950, the family moved to Cooperton, Oklahoma, where George would graduate from Con 8 High School in 1953. In 1955, at the age of 20, George would leave everything he knew behind to head north to Detroit, Michigan where he knew no one and was pretty much living on a prayer. It was there, he would start a career with Ford’s Motor Company where he would be employed for 42 years.

Through the years, he also started and owned many businesses. He thoroughly enjoyed making money, and would do so any chance he was given. He also would meet the love of his life, Donna Jean, in 1955; however, they would not start a relationship until 1989 after reconnecting at a friend’s house when they were both, “single and ready to mingle” as George would say. On August 3, 1991, Donna Jean Horning who he often referred to as, “My Donna” would marry George Lee Sorrell at Waurika Lake in Oklahoma.

On that day, they blended and loved each other’s families as their own.

George was a fierce competitor. He loved most sports. In fact, he would play in multiple basketball leagues, often kidding that he got into more fights in the church league than he did in any other league. George’s nickname on his basketball teams was, “The Enforcer,” as he would not stand for anyone messing with any of his teammates, especially his baby brother who was also on the same teams.

After he decided, on his own terms of course, that he was too old for basketball, he switched his focus to fishing and playing pool. He spent many summers in Alaska fishing for halibut and salmon.

However, his favorite spot was the Detroit River when the walleye were running. When he wasn’t fishing, you could catch him at seniors or the Moose Lodge hustling someone in a game of pool. Even though he loved all of those activities, his greatest joy was spending time with his family. He loved his children and grandchildren, his Sorrell and Sears heritage, and all the family reunions where you could always count on hearing music, a game of dominoes being played, and jokes that were being told. George loved to laugh but enjoyed even more making others laugh especially with a good joke.

George was also a very giving person and would do anything he could to help someone out. Lastly, George loved Jesus, and always believed in the Southern Baptist teachings.

He is survived by many family members that he loved and adored.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Donna Jean Sorrell; his parents, Thomas and Blanche Sorrell; his sister, Polly Sorrell Mainer; his brothers Bill Sorrell, James Sorrell, Glen Sorrell, and Harold Sorrell; his son George Lee Sorrell, Jr.; daughter Amber Lang; and great-granddaughter Olivia Forth-Campbell. The family would like to thank Chisholm Trail Assisted Living and Wilkins Nursing Home for taking such good care of George while he was a resident under their care.

Online condolences may be sent at www.whittfh.com.

*This obituary will be published in the May 23, 2024, printed edition of The Marlow Review.