James Sorenson

With reverence (or irreverence) and bewilderment we announce the passing of James Travers Sorenson, aka (self-anointed) Lord Byron Skyscraper, aka Uncle Jamie, a man who defined the art of living on his own terms. Uncle Jamie breathed his last on January 15, 2025, after completing 71 years of a spirited, unscripted and often unruly life.

The quintessential "crazy uncle" whose antics were legendary, Uncle Jamie once rode a scooter 20 miles across Seattle to attend a nephew's cross-country meet. Jamie cheered at nieces' and nephews' sporting events. If you were in his presence at a game, you were either laughing, embarrassed, or both.

A notorious challenger of his nephews in chess and his friends in cribbage, Uncle Jamie enjoyed the games more than the actual winning (which was usually left to the younger generation). He modeled the latest in Jacuzzi wear fashion during a family wedding celebration weekend.

Uncle Jamie regaled all who would listen with outrageous tales of a misspent youth (that lasted well into middle age) some of which may have been true. Maybe his Frisbee catching dog did entertain crowds at Husky Stadium and the Kingdome. Maybe he escaped the Mexican cartel and bribed his way out of a Tijuana jail. Maybe he played tennis with Bill Russell. Maybe he lived a couple years in his Volkswagen van traveling across the country and testing the limits of casino parking lot hospitality.

Uncle Jamie relentlessly pontificated his political views to anyone who would listen. His disappointment in the lack of integrity, the greed and manipulation of facts by politicians of a certain persuasion were a source of impassioned diatribes.

Uncle Jamie befriended everyone he met and maintained almost daily contact with numerous old and new friends. He gave copious attention to any animal he encountered.

Uncle Jamie enjoyed collecting cars, sports paraphernalia (to support his vast reservoir of accumulated facts about athletes) and the leftovers from any yard sale he attended - leaving his family a vast array of donatable items.

Above all, Jamie's heart belonged to his family. He was especially fond of his nieces and nephews, Brianna, Brody, Toby, Todd, Torissa, Kimberly, and Matthew and his great-nephews and great-nieces, Brooks, Baker, Brooklyn Belle, Jameson, Archer, Fiona, Cillian, Marin, Dominic, Leo, Athena, Bodhi, Saatchi, Mia, and Emily.

"The Secret Life of James Sorenson", the memoir Jamie touted with enthusiasm, will be available for purchase once we locate the manuscript.

On Saturday, February 22nd at 1:00, we will celebrate Mass at St. Andrews Catholic Church in Ellensburg to fulfill one of Uncle Jamie's last requests, "Pray for me."

In lieu of flowers, please endow a quirky stranger with an unexpected kindness.

Rest in peace, Uncle Jamie. We miss you.