Roy Douglas Sorrell, 98, died Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
Born Nov. 29, 1927, in Bath County, he was the youngest of nine children born to Ellis and Eunice Fortune Sorrell. He had a distinguished military and government career beginning in 1946 with the 11th Airborne Rangers during the occupation of Japan. Upon his return he served several years with the Kentucky National Guard. He joined the 100th Division of the Army Reserves and was deployed to active duty at Fort Chaffee, Ark., during the Berlin Crisis in 1963. He rose to the rank of Command Sergeant Major for the 100th Division and served as commandant of the 5041 USAR School in Fort McCoy, Wis. His last deployment was in 1987 in Honduras where he returned to “Jump Status” in both land and sea jumps with the U.S. Army Special Operations Command: Special Forces Group where they affectionately called him the “Jumping Grandpa.” In 1988 he was inducted into the 100th Division Corridor of the Century Hall of Fame. His long career in government service included over 30 years at Blue Grass Army Depot in Lexington, beginning as a shipping clerk, airport manager and Chief Management Analyst. He volunteered to go to Vietnam in 1968 as a civilian to work with the Armed Services on behalf of the war effort, returning safely home later that year. He concluded his career as Chief Analyst at Rock Island Arsenal in Rock Island, Ill. where he retired in 1987 before returning to Mt. Sterling. His warrior spirit was complemented by his strong Christian faith and quiet demeanor as a longtime member and leader of Antioch Christian Church. He was a parishioner, deacon, Sunday school teacher and served as head elder for many years. He served as Scout Master for the Blue Grass Council, was a member of the Mt. Sterling Planning and Zoning Board and volunteered in many civic endeavors. He and his wife, Evelyn, loved to travel and spent many days in their Winnebago traveling across the United States. He also loved fishing and was a Master Gardener. The fruits of his labor were enjoyed at the many family dinners he and Evelyn loved to host.
He leaves behind to cherish his memory his sons, Brad (Dana) Sorrell of Mayslick and David (Susan) Sorrell of Lexington; daughter-in-law, Margaret Sorrell of Lexington; nephews, Billy (Wanda) Ballard of Winchester, Mike Eads of Austin, Texas; nieces, Janie Ballard (Wendell) Rose of Winchester, Connie Sorrell (Mark) Prather of Cynthiana, MaryAnne Eads (John) Turner of Knox City, Texas and Connie Eads Bogard of Ft. Worth, Texas; nine grandchildren, Debryn (Bobby) Boyd, Ashley Sorrell, Joanna Sorrell, Darcy Sorrell, Thomas Calvin (Megan) Sorrell, Lisa (Joel) Gronberg, Carolyn Pippen, Brian (Daphne) Gregory and Erin (Kenny) Stewart; and 11 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 75 years, Evelyn Sorrell; son, Thomas Gatewood Sorrell; sisters, Mary Sorrell, Maggie Sorrell and Mabel “Polly” Ballard; and brothers, Jackson, Gatewood, Dee “Pop”, William “Bill” and Oliver.
Memorial service will be conducted at noon, Thursday, July 16, at Taul Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Bill Kilgore officiating. Visitation will be 11 a.m.-noon, Thursday.
The family would like to thank Dr. Jeffery McGinnis and staff of Sterling Health Care; the wonderful staff of Sterling Meadows Assisted Living and the staff of Mt. Sterling Health and Rehab.
