Douglas "Doug" D. Sorrell

During the dust bowl and the Great Depression, the family gave up farming and moved to Fort Collins, Colorado. A spiritual song reborn in the civil rights movements pleaded, “Lord, guide my feet while I run this race.” And what a race he ran. As a Fort Collins High student athlete he was the 1949 State Champion in the low hurdles and was involved in sports and many extracurricular activities. From an early age, Doug had a deep passion for the outdoors, enjoying fly fishing, hiking and camping, and later in life sharing it with his children and grandchildren and their spouses.

After high school Doug attended Colorado A&M (now Colorado State University) in the Air Force ROTC Program. He pledged Sigma Nu, ran indoor and outdoor track, and earned his numeral sweater. In 1953 Doug broke the outdoor 220-yard hurdle record that had been set by Olympic Decathlon gold medalist Glenn Morris when he was at A&M.

In the fall of 1952, Doug met beautiful Mary Carol Tyler on a blind date. Doug married his “sweetie angel” on June 18, 1954. They were married for 64 years. They both worked after the wedding and Doug finished college after a 5th year. He was a student teacher and got his first taste of coaching track at LaPorte High where his team won the state crown. He was hired as the science teacher and head coach for track, wrestling and football and started the cross country program at Sterling High School. After four years in Sterling, Doug was hired by Johnstown High as head coach for both football and track and started the wrestling program. He also taught biology, history and phys ed. Doug continued his studies at the University of Northern Colorado and Western State College.

In 1960, Doug got a surprise call from Longmont High School that was the start of a long career at LHS, teaching biology, coaching track, cross country and a stint as the assistant wrestling coach. “Coach Sorrell” earned his Master of Science degree from Colorado College in 1965 under the sponsorship of the National Science Foundation and did further graduate work through the Foundation at Florida State University in 1974. During his coaching career he earned: state and conference championships, coached multiple state champions, state record holders, conference champions and an Olympian. Never one to sit still, Doug held a variety of jobs each summer, professional house painter, county employee, biology researcher, but his favorite was working at the grain elevator buying barley for the Adolph Coors Company.

A true renaissance man, Doug grew up with resilience and a love of the outdoors. He was energetic as a child, played the guitar in a college band, enjoyed fly tying, silver making, baking, wine making, cribbage, bridge, Mexican train, globe trotting with dear friends and family, and of course painting. He was even published in the Red Stone Review where his articles recounted the antics of his beloved cat, Wally. His activities weren’t just an art form; they were a window into his love, and his deep appreciation for the world around him.

Doug didn’t think of the finish line as the goal. The journey there was what created the beauty and it was to be celebrated, not rushed through. It was noticing the hatch on the river, it was the conversations struck up while pitching a tent or painting or playing games, it was the times he had together with friends and family enjoying each other away from the bustle of life.

While friends were incredibly important to Doug, his greatest passion and pride was his family. Doug was a proud father and instilled in his daughters the importance of education, hard work, and giving back to the community. He absolutely adored his two sons-in-law and shared his passions with both. He found so much meaning in being a grandfather and doted on his grandchildren and great-grandchild. Doug embraced life with his storytelling, corny dad jokes and a signature grin.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved wife Carol. He is survived by his brother Doyle (Sandra); daughters Nancy Sorrell (Scott Hollmaier) and Susan Sorrell Kelly (Richard Wold); grandchildren Shelby Ruff (Chase), Cooper Hollmaier, (Janessa) Tanner (Sarah Margaret) and McKinley Wold; great-grandson Pierce Ruff; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Doug’s life was a race well run—full of love, adventure and a deep appreciation for every person and every step along the way. His legacy lives on in all who knew him.

Memorial services and a celebration of life will be held at the Allnutt Funeral Hunter Chapel on May 17, 2025 at 1:00 pm. (2100 N Lincoln Avenue, Loveland, CO 80538). In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Friends of the the Loveland Public Library Foundation (FOLPLF, 300 N. Adams Ave., Loveland, CO 80537), Cat Care Society ([email protected]) in Doug’s name or to any other charitable organization that is meaningful to you.