Don Dale Sorrells

Born February 2nd, 1942 to James Monroe Sorrells and Ruthie Ellen Day Sorrells Herzog in Dallas, Texas. Don was reared by his proud stepfather Joseph Herzog Jr., an Ellis Island immigrant of Austria Hungary.

Don attended Kleberg Elementary and graduated from Seagoville High School with the class of 1960. He is an alum of the Southern Methodist University College of Banking. Don went to work for the Seagoville State Bank upon graduation in the 1960’s and spent 30+ years in the banking industry and retired from the American National Bank of Seagoville. He was a conservative lending officer who managed a tight commercial loan portfolio and never met a stranger. Don then spent several years building custom homes with Sorrells’ Brothers Builders.

A pillar in the community, Don was a faithful servant of the Lord, a 65-year member of The First Baptist Church of Seagoville where he held critical leadership roles. He served on the properties, stewardship and personnel committees and worked annually to help manage the church budget. He taught Sunday School and drove the church bus. He was baptized at the First Baptist Church of Kleberg at the age of 13 where he also attended services in recent years.

Don was a member of the Seagoville Lions Club and was “Man of the Year” in 1986. He was the recipient of the Fran Burt award in 2003 for Outstanding Community Service and Support. He was a charter member of the Seagoville Senior Citizen Housing Association and the lead supporter along with his brother Gene in building the City of Seagoville’s Veteran’s Memorial. He was a founding member of the Bear Creek Social Club.

An avid outdoorsman, Don loved to fish, hunt, play golf and watch the Texas Longhorns play football! He lived for the opening day of deer season and left the Thanksgiving table, often headed to west Texas to hunt. Not so sure he didn’t play a bit more poker than he hunted! In fact, he never brought home any antler horns.

Don and Ruth both retired in the early 2000’s and got on the road pulling a trailer full of equipment to every city and state across America following Mark and his career from tradeshow to tradeshow. Those were awesome years that ended with Don’s failing health in 2014.

Don struggled in his later years as chronic kidney disease took its toll on his body. A 7+ year dialysis patient, he never once complained about his situation and managed it with dignity, fortitude and blamelessness until the end. The family would like to thank the Fresenius Kaufman staff for their dedication and support. Don’s team of healthcare professionals at Texas Health Presbyterian Dallas are unmatched, specifically Dr. Humam B. Kakish of Advanced Vein and Vascular Associates, his years of devotion to Don’s healthcare are noteworthy.

Don is survived by his wife Ruth Ellen Gregg and son Mark Alan. Don would also tell you he had an adopted son – Brian Keith Thompson of Dallas, Texas and a fur baby - Holly. Don and Ruth were married on August 19, 1961 – 63+ years of marriage. He was a devoted husband and a proud, tender-loving father and will be missed until we meet again.

Don is also survived by brother Gene Allen Sorrells and his wife Jacky Garner of Athens, Texas; brother-in-law Harold Grady Long of Jefferson, Texas; brother-in-Law Raymond Lewis Gregg and his wife Elizabeth Costlow of Canton Texas; nephew Monty Lewis Gregg and his wife Ana Marie Calderon of El Paso, Texas; niece Leslie Karen Gregg Cox and her husband Terry of Canton, Texas; nephew Scott Allen Sorrells and his wife Michelle Bradley of Sulphur Springs, Texas; niece Tracey Jeannine Sorrells Whitley and her husband Randy of Glenwood Springs, Colorado; niece Duana Jo Couch and her husband Michael Ray of Woodlawn, Texas and niece Jenny Lee Blackburn of Marshall, Texas.

Don is preceded in death by his parents Ruthie Ellen Day Sorrells Herzog, James Monroe Sorrells, stepfather Joseph Herzog Jr. of Seagoville Texas, sister Evelyn Jo Herzog Long of Jefferson Texas, Mother-in-law Clara Mae Hawthrone Gregg and Father-In-Law Newlin Lewis Gregg both of Seagoville, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The First Baptist Church of Seagoville or The First Baptist Church of Kleberg in his name.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 16th at the First Baptist Church of Seagoville with visitation in the church sanctuary at 1:00pm followed by a formal service at 2:00pm. The interment will take place at Roselawn Memorial Park in the Rose Garden at 3:00pm.