Douglas James Sorvig

Douglas James Sorvig passed away at the Integris Medical Center in Oklahoma City, OK on August 16, 2012 at the age of 57. Douglas was born July 3, 1955 in Mahnomen, MN, to Roland and Jean (Nansen) Sorvig. He grew up in Winger, MN, where he attended elementary school. Doug graduated from McIntosh-Winger High School, where he played football and the trombone with both the Pep and Concert Bands. Doug’s father passed away when he was only six, which made him the man of the house and taking on the responsibilities of caring for his mother and sisters. Doug also lost his mother at the young age of 14, so he continued his nurturing care for his sister, Stephanie, and also their younger brother, Daniel Lee on weekends when possible. One of Doug’s fondest memories was how he and his brother would go bear hunting with Danny’s popgun. This nurturing and protecting nature grew to be a way of life for Doug. He was always there to listen and he always gave good advice. Doug was a great story teller. That’s if you had the patience to sit and listen without putting words into his mouth. He was always careful with his words and sometimes thought a little too long between each sentence! He added humor to every situation including his illness. It was hard to know if he felt good, bad or if he was in pain because he was constantly adding humor to every conversation. Doug married Roseanne Chester in 1975. They lived a short time in the Minneapolis, MN area before Doug joined the U.S. Air Force December 12, 1975. Doug and his family then traveled extensively throughout the United States and overseas. He served over five years as a Security Journeyman and over 15 years as an Air Traffic Control Craftsman. Some of his tours of duty included Spain, Germany, and the UK. Doug was also deployed to Iraq in Desert Shield/Storm. He was a member of the U.S. Air Force Mobile Unit and spent time in Columbia, Panama, and Ecuador. He received the Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal and Meritorious Service Medal. There were many other Ribbons and Medals for tours and training including a Ribbon for Small Arms Expert Marksmanship and Good Conduct. Doug retired as MSGT with an Honorable Discharge July 31, 1996. After retiring from the Air Force, Doug lived and worked for a short time in Thief River Falls, MN until going to work with the Federal Aviation Administration in Oklahoma City. He made his final home in Mustang, OK with his sons, Matthew and Michael nearby. Once again, nurturing and protecting the people he loved. He followed the boys’ activities while they were part of the Marching Band and Football Team and even took Tai Kwon Do lessons with Matt. During this time, Matt began to occasionally bring home stray cats. They ended up with four cats at one time causing some mayhem at times but the cats became family and also gave Doug some great stories to tell. He loved those cats and called them his “kids”. Even with his declining health, Doug refused to give up his kids! Doug enjoyed hunting, fishing and golf until his illness no longer allowed for those types of activities. Doug’s sons then got him interested in video games and he became very good playing for hours at a time online with numerous friends, including some of Matt’s friends. Doug was a great son, husband, father, brother, and uncle. He was good hearted, humorous, protective and nurturing. He was a rock to many and to those that knew him, an honor to call friend. Doug is survived by his ex-wife, Roseanne Sorvig, with whom he always remained very close and spent every Christmas with as a family and who was by his side at his passing. Other survivors include their sons, Matthew Lee Sorvig of Fort Worth, TX and Michael Lee Sorvig of Mustang, OK. (And of course the kids, Dufus, Revy and Mr Stiffles). Surviving siblings include sisters, Melanie Sorvig, Grand Forks, ND, Stephanie Daley (Special friend Donn Eide), Thief River Falls, MN and brother Daniel (Jodi) Lee, Erskine, MN, and 22 nieces & nephews and numerous great-nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents. Funeral services were held Friday, August 24, 2012 at 2:00 pm in the Calvary Lutheran Church, Winger, Minnesota with Pastor Gordon Syverson officiating. Carol Stordahl served as the organist. Visitation was held Thursday, August 23, 2012 from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm in the Anderson~Mattson Funeral Chapel in Winger. Serving as pallbearers were Nick Daley, Jared Daley, Lee Larson, Bryan Miliander, Joseph Miller and Kim Bernard. Honorary bearers included Cody Lee, Tom Tripp, and Christopher Miller. Military Honors were provided by Winger American Legion Fengested-Solie Post #200 and MNARNG Honor Guard. Burial was in the Calvary Lutheran Cemetery, Winger, MN.

Douglas James Sorvig

July 3, 1955 - August 16, 2012