Daniel Jackson Sorrells

Athens - Daniel Jackson Sorrells, son of Rufus J. and Rosa M. Daniel, died March 11, 2009. His mother passed away shortly after his birth, and from age six, he was raised by his father and his new mother, Emma Sue Coile Sorrells, who was a caring and kind mother for her lifetime.
Jack, as he was known, grew up near Danielsville and graduated from Madison County High School. He attended the University of Georgia as a commuter student, graduating in 1933 with a B.A. degree in English and in 1939 with a M.A. degree also in English. He received an Ed.D. degree from Michigan State University in 1950 in counseling and college administration. Jack served as a Personnel Officer in the Army Air Corps in the U.S. and Japan during World War II, including training the Tuskegee Airmen. He also spent two years as an advisor to the Minister of Education in Thailand.
Jack spent his whole life as an educator, first in high schools in North Georgia including Atlanta Public Schools and later in locations around the world. His college teaching positions included the College of William and Mary, Michigan State University, Central Michigan University and the University of Georgia. In 1962, he returned to the University of Georgia as Dean of Student Services. Some years later, he joined the staff of the Institute of Higher Education as a professor to initiate and organize a degree to develop college administrators. He retired in 1981 as Professor Emeritus of Higher Education.
Since retiring, he enjoyed traveling both in the U.S. and internationally where he and his wife attended over twenty Elderhostel programs. Family and friends have enjoyed the fruits of Jack's artistic talents, which flourished as he studied pottery, basket-making, painting and stain-glass work. Lovers of the out-of-doors, Jack and Eleanor spent their summers in the mountains of North Carolina for over thirty years. Jack's commitment to serving others continued well after retirement as he volunteered with ARK and Meals on Wheels for over ten years. Jack was a lifelong Presbyterian, serving as youth group leader, Deacon and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Athens. He was one of the founding members of the Athens Torch Club and a member of the Athens Rotary Club, serving as president in 1981.
Above all, Jack Sorrells was devoted to his wife and family as well as to his friends. He is survived by a loving wife, Eleanor Kathryn; son, Steven Jackson; daughters, Peggy Sue and husband, Steven Juergens, Kristeen Sorrells and husband, Ernest Windsor, and Dr. Kathryn Sorrells; two grandchildren, Christopher and Maryn Juergens; one sister, Mrs. Mary Davis; and a number of nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be at First Presbyterian Church at 2 p.m. on March 14, 2009, with reception following in the Fellowship Hall. Interment will follow in the family plot of the old cemetery in Danielsville at 4:30 p.m. Pallbearers for the service are Carl Bergman, Ronnie Harris, Steven Juergens, Carl Schab, Don Seerley and Ernest Windsor. Honorary pallbearers are Dick Hill, George Marshall, James Miller and Ludwig Uhlig.
The family will receive friends at the chapel of Lord and Stephens, EAST, from 6 p.m. - 8 p.m., March 13, 2009.
Memorials may be given to the First Presbyterian Church of Athens.