Richard “Rick” Lawrence Sorrells, Jr.

Born in Washington D.C. on September 19, 1960, to the late Richard Sorrells, Sr. and the late Josephine Young, Richard Lawrence Sorrells, Jr. passed away on August 27, 2021, at 60, to natural causes. He was the youngest of three and, as he would often tell you, the siblings drove one another crazy, but there was a fierce love and loyalty among the three that would persist throughout their lives. The late Larry Sorrells was his older brother, and Sharyn Sorrells is his sister. He also has a half-brother, Dan Sorrells, who could claim the fabled “Sorrells-Man” looks Rick always mentioned as a right of every man who bears the surname.

He leaves behind a wife, Beverly Sorrells, a son, Gregory Sorrells, a daughter-in-law, Heather Sorrells, a grandson, Nathan Sorrells, a daughter, Alyssa Sorrells, and a granddaughter, Josephine Sorrells. He also leaves behind countless relationships of people who have blessed to have known him even for just a few moments. 

If there’s one thing anyone should know about Richard Lawrence Sorrells, Jr., it’s that he embodied the term selfless. In every fiber of his being, one could feel love emanating from him at all moments. He put the well-being of others before himself to a fault. The world could collapse around him, but he would come at you with a smile and a joke, making sure you were in a good place in every conceivable facet before you even had a chance to wonder for yourself if anything were the matter with him.

He was an electrician by trade. Shortly after making the trek down to Florida, he learned what it took to excel in his craft. It wasn’t long before he was spending nights off from his day job, sharing those lessons in apprenticeship programs—helping the next generation get the head start in the industry he so loved. Fast forward a few years and he had the chance to join Tri-City Electric. It was there that Richard truly came into his own. He managed projects across the state of Florida, including high rises and a data center, which acts as a pathway for data traffic from the Caribbean and South and Central America to over 148 countries. Whether direct or indirect, his work touched lives across the globe.

Among his hobbies, a love of sports would certainly top the list. It didn’t matter what the event was, if two people were competing, he was watching. A Wimbledon match starting at 3:30am EST? He’s waking up to watch it. Curling in the Winter Olympics? Could be interesting. But his favorite sport of all, without a doubt, was basketball. He grew up in the time that legends were made. Magic Johnson (his all-time favorite), Larry Bird, Julius Erving, Michael Jordan, this list goes on. He even took Beverly to an exhibition in Miami to watch the University of North Carolina Tar Heels play while Gregory was growing in his mother’s belly. 

An avid reader, a library could be constructed to house the various tomes that filled his home. Everything from Clancy to the latest book about the Showtime Lakers. He often read multiple books at once, absorbing as much new information as he could. Classic movies were another avenue he could discuss on end with interested parties. He was a sucker for Casablanca & The Sting, among others. And don’t even get him started on Gene Wilder.

Perhaps the only thing that could come close to touching his love for sports would be his adulation for Elvis Presley. He was but a tike when The King made his Comeback Special, but the songs and strums of the guitar from a time past took hold of Rick like no other. He owned nearly every piece of Elvis memorabilia one could imagine and took multiple trips to Graceland. The radio in his truck also seemed to be permanently stuck on either an Elvis CD or satellite radio station. Watch parties of the cinematic mastery that were Elvis films also weren’t uncommon for Rick. 

As he got older and became a grandaddy, priorities shifted. His hobbies and interests remained a part of his life, but nothing seemed to have quite the hold on him as hearing their giggles or hugging them close and telling them how much he loved them. That he could hear Nathan and Josie relay their love for him made it all that much better.

Work and his personal interests, regardless of how integral to his life they each may have been, were second fiddle to his love for family. It’s something whose importance he impressed upon his children throughout their lives, in ways both small and large. There was never a moment when any member of Rick’s family had to wonder how he felt. If they needed him, he was always there. And, as he mentioned on more than one occasion, his family stretched out further than just the bonds of those blessed enough to share his surname. Friends and colleagues were all part of the greater whole.

This will continue to be the case as time stretches on toward the ether, though the impact won’t always be so obvious. Little things like a potentially unflattering picture of him blowing out of your hand, or the wind rustling through the leaves a certain way when you’re feeling down, or maybe just the thought of a moment the two of you shared in the greatness that was his life popping randomly into your head. He will always be with us, and one day, we’ll have the chance to see him smile once more. 

For now, we’ll need to take solace in the fact that he is no longer in any pain. He’s in a place where there is no longer a need for him to be concerned with anything that may ail him. Instead, he can focus fully on the people he loves.

And we can think back fondly on why we all loved him.

Visitation to be held on Friday, September 10, 2021 from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM with video tribute, pastors’s message and eulogy at 2:00 PM at Boyd-Panciera Family Funeral Care, 1600 N. University Drive, Pembroke Pines, Florida 33024. Rick’s family is requesting that attendees please wear masks while at the funeral home. His family will be wearing shades of blue and encourage those attending to wear blue as well, if possible.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Rick’s family so that they may send donations received to his favorite charities.

For those who cannot attend the Service, the family is providing a live video stream of the service for family and  friends to attend virtually on Friday at 2:00 PM on September 10, 2021;  This will be LIVE on the Boyd-Panciera Family Funeral Care Facebook page at: Hover & Click to the Right of the Arrow —> BOYD-PANCIERA FAMILY FUNERAL CARE FACEBOOK