Michael Joseph "Mike" Sorocak

Michael Joseph "Mike" Sorocak, 86, passed peacefully at his home in Huntsville, AL and reunited with his beloved wife Sally on December 16, 2025.
Mike was born in Warren, Ohio in 1939. He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary (Bralek) Sorocak; his wife of almost 60 years, Sally; and one sister; Barbara Gillam. He is survived by his children, Jeff Sorocak and Susan (Scott) Swing; grandchildren, Sally (Jenkins) Mock and Joe Swing; twin sisters, Cathy Robertson and Mary Knowles; and two nieces, Rebecca Knowles and Miranda McLinden.
Mike grew up in the northeast Ohio town of Newton Falls, which is famous for it's zip code, 44444, and it's historic covered bridge. He graduated valedictorian from Newton Falls High in 1956.
After high school, Mike became the first in his family to attend college and went to The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. While majoring in Chemical Engineering at Ohio State, he met his future wife Sally and was also part of the 1960 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship team. Mike was a member of the Ohio State chapter of the Triangle fraternity.
Mike started his career in the chemical industry with Dow Chemical in Midland, Michigan. While in Midland, he earned a MBA from Central Michigan University and soon after accepted a job with Union Carbide in Tarrytown, NY. In 1972 Mike accepted a transfer to Mobile, AL and worked at Union Carbide's Molecular Sieve Plant in Chickasaw which later became UOP.
Mike spent 47 years in Mobile, AL before moving to Huntsville, AL to be closer to family. While in Mobile, Mike was very active with the Alabama High School Basketball officials. He was a member of the Mobile Jaycees, vice president of the Greater Gulf States Fair and served as vice chairman of the weigh station at the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo. He was the author of the infamous Sorocak Christmas letter where he used his special sense of humor to entertain friends and family. In 1975 his wife convinced him to attend a special program at Westminster Presbyterian, it was during that program that he rededicated his life with Christ and became very active at Westminster. After retirement Mike and Sally enjoyed travelling and chasing their children and grandchildren around the country. He served on the board of directors for the Presbyterian Home for Children in Talladega, volunteered as a docent at the Mobile Museum of History, and always was doing his best to keep up with Sally's schedule.
A private graveside service will be held in Ohio.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made to the Presbyterian Home for Children (www.phfc.org/donate/) or Operation Christmas Child, Samaritan's Purse Shoebox program (www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/ways-to-give)