Christian Marius Sorensen, Jr.

Chris was born June 30, 1925 in Fresno and died March 8,2024 in Fresno. He grew up in Mendota, CA. He was the oldest of 5 children: Charlie was married to Barbara; Patty was married to Dale & Charlie; Dick; Carol was married to Harry. He outlived all of them.

Chris graduated from Fresno High School. After graduation he joined the Navy. After his discharge he returned to work in the family business in Mendota.

Chris met and married Mitzi Christensen in 1950. They have 2 children, Vicki and John. Vicki is married to Art Hughes. John is married to India Ivans. Chris has 3 grandchildren: Adam Hughes, Crystalynne

Andrade, Juliette Lahey. He has 7 great-grandchildren: Jade Perez; Calista Andrade, Cecilia Andrade, Gabriel Andrade; John Lahey, Christian Lahey, & Luke Lahey.

Chris has been a draftsman, an inventor (he invented a truck that services farm equipment in the field), a partner in farm equipment, a manufacturing co, and since 1963 he created WECO , a welding supply business. His other main interest became his art. He has worked with metal, clay, wood, plastic, oils, watercolors and mobiles.

His specialty was his metal sculptures. He crafted the huge red heart at St. Agnes Hospital, a beautiful metal tree on Friant Road, a large giraffe, a life size mammoth in Madera, a bulldog at WECO, and so many more. His fish were spectacular as were his roses and flowers from tin can lids. He turned so many coat hangers into fabulous creatures. Many people have been blessed by name plates created by Chris.

The Chris Sorensen Studio began in the early 90's. He brought working artists and their work to an industrial part of south Fresno & provided the original home for Fresno's Art Hop.

He would travel to the studio each day to "play" as he called it. When covid hit he stayed home and played in John's front yard with his outdoor metal studio. His friends would drop by weekly to have lunch with Chris.

Chris was often asked about the best gift he'd ever received, he replied, "life!"

Our families would like to express our sincerest gratitude for your love and prayers. Thank you for being with us today.

A Visitation for Chris will be held Friday, March 29, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Whitehurst Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home, 836 E Nees Ave, Fresno, California 93720.

A Private family graveside service will be held.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Chris' memory may be made to Chris Sorensen Memorial Art Scholarship Fund, 41224 Pomegranate Place, Madera, California 93636 US.