James Nelson Sorsby, age 85, of Collierville, Tennessee passed away on August 19, 2021, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Collierville. Jim was born in Memphis, Tennessee on December 12, 1935, to Dayton Phillips Sorsby and Virginia Nelson Sorsby. He graduated from Messick High School and attended the University of Memphis before joining the United States Air Force. He retired from Delta Air Lines and was a member of the Delta Pioneers. Jim was also a member of Collierville United Methodist Church.
He loved college football and especially the Memphis Tigers. He was a long time member of the Highland Hundred, a support group for the Tiger football team and a long time member of The Rebounders which supports the Tiger basketball team.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Janice Long Sorsby; two sons and two daughters, James Nelson Sorsby (Kris) of O'Fallon, Missouri, John Mark Sorsby (Loretta) of Moscow, Tennessee, Allison Sorsby Piper (Chuck), and Karen Sorsby Bryan (Robby) of Collierville, Tennessee.
He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Heather Sorsby Motschenbacher (Dan), Matthew Sorsby (Jessica), David Sorsby, Anna Sorsby, Tucker Bryan, Ethan Bryan, Priscilla Piper, and Alissa Piper; four great-grandchildren, Haley Sorsby, Kennedy Sorsby, Ella Sorsby, and Ben Sorsby; two sisters, Joe Ann Sorsby Jones of California, and Mary Jane Sorsby Arnone (Frank) of Apollo Beach, Florida.
The family will receive relatives and friends on September 8, from 11:00 AM until the time of the funeral at 12:00 PM, at Collierville United Methodist Church at 454 West Poplar Avenue, Collierville, Tennessee. The burial will follow at 2:00 PM, at West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, 4000 Forest Hill Irene Road, Memphis, Tennessee.
The family request that memorials be sent to Collierville United Methodist Church or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.colliervillefuneral.com for the Sorsby family.
