J. “Sean” Sorrell passed away on February 3, 2023 of a sudden heart attack. He passed in the arms of his loving wife Stephanie and was soon surrounded by family. Sean was blessed with a larger-than-life personality and radiated warmth and positivity everywhere he went. His endearing smile was known for erupting into contagious laughter which, in many ways, was his trademark. Most everyone was familiar with his comforting presence and generous heart that served him well throughout his life on earth. He was a gentle giant with the ability to ease anxiety and worry in favor of hope and faith, and his memory will be cherished forever.
Sean was born in Austin, Texas on January 8, 1962 to Jay Riggan Sorrell and Mary Harborth Sorrell. Growing up in Pearsall, Texas, he participated on many baseball, football, basketball, track, and tennis teams, and enjoyed summer camp at LLYC and family beach vacations in Port Aransas. Sean was a gracious and caring older brother to his sister Suzanne. As children he often spent time teaching her to play sports, and as adults they were grateful to both live in Austin.
Family time was important to Sean. He and his father, Jay, were best friends and shared a passion for golf. They enjoyed countless rounds, shared memorable trips to Pebble Beach and Scotland, and won several father/son tournaments. Sean was greatly influenced by his father’s positive attitude and sense of humor, which is reflected in his sons Doug and Jake.
Proudly continuing the family tradition, Sean became a Texas Longhorn and graduated with a BBA in Finance in 1983. He loved his brothers in the Kappa Alpha fraternity whom he was close to throughout his life. He was a UT alumni fixture who loyally attended football and basketball games, recently storming the court with Jake after an exciting win against Kansas.
Sean had a storied 33 year career in commercial real estate. He truly enjoyed spending time with his real estate family. His early career began as Senior Vice President at CBRE, followed by Chief Investment Officer for Montecito Property Company, and in 2011 he co-founded HFF Capital Markets in Austin, which was subsequently acquired by JLL Capital Group, where he served as Senior Managing Director, specializing in multi-family and advisory for investment sales. His colleagues described him as having an infectious positive attitude and saying he hosted the greatest closing dinners, was most fun to be with on the golf course, and always attracted a fun crowd around him at industry events.
Sean pursued many beloved hobbies such as golf. He was a member of The Old Course at St. Andrews Golf Club, and a beloved member of Royal Dornoch Golf Club (the birthplace of golf) in Dornoch, Scotland, which he visited 33 times and where he was affectionately known as “Big Tex.” He brought along his family and friends, and hosted clients, thus linking the relationships beyond contracts, which evolved into cherished friendships. His home away from home was relishing the links with his brotherhood at the Austin Golf Club in Spicewood, Texas.
He also enjoyed spending time fishing with his friends, who were more like brothers, in Port Aransas, Texas. One of the most memorable fishing trips was to Costa Rica with his sons, boasting a 200 pound tuna and a 250 pound sailfish. An avid fly fisherman, Sean was most content in the mountains of Montana fly fishing while accompanied by his loyal Great Dane “Tripp”.
Sean was a man of quiet faith and spiritual to his core. He witnessed to others, and influenced some to pursue preaching as a profession. His Christ-centered faith and giving heart, stemming from his mother, was evident until his last moments while rubbing his wife’s feet.
Sean shared, along with his wife Stephanie, a deep love for their Great Danes. He was a passionate believer in the preservation of the purebred Great Dane, identifying with the breed’s characteristics of nobility, loyalty and Giant presence. He and Stephanie bred, raised, and showed award-winning Hall of Fame Great Danes, one who was lying along his bedside at the time of his death. Sean was very active in rearing and training their recent litter born to Regent Kennels in the summer of 2022.
Preceded in death by his mother Mary Sorrell, he is survived by his father Jay Sorrell, his wife Stephanie Taylor, his sons Douglas Sorrell (Olivia), Jake Sorrell (Macy), sister Suzanne Greenway (John), nephews Taylor and Thomas, niece Ashleigh, sister-in-law Kristin Werner (Mike), niece Alexandra and nephew Andrew.
Sean was deeply loved as a husband, son, father, brother, uncle, friend, and colleague. He will always be remembered as a kind and gentle-hearted man who loved laughing with others. He chose love over judgment every day of his life, and felt blessed by all of the friends he had from different walks of life, cultures, and communities. His wish would be that his friends, family, and colleagues embrace his legacy to live for every moment as he did. For each day is never promised, but a gift to be treasured, and the magnitude of his memory will live in the hearts of everyone he touched.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at the Lake Hills Church, 11521 Bee Caves Road, Austin, Texas 78738.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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