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In Memory

Lamar Sorensen ** (Vice Principal)

LaMar William Sorensen, 74, of Salt Lake City, died August 3, 1998 in his home, surrounded by his loved ones, after a peaceful surrender to cancer.

Born in Smithfield, Utah, as a young child he moved to Salt Lake City, where he spent the rest of his life. He served in the United States Army at the end of World War II. In 1947, he married Ellinor Hanssen in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary together. He was a life-long educator in the Salt Lake City Schools, serving as principal at West and East High Schools and Clayton and Bryant Junior High Schools. Educated at the University of Utah, he received Bachelor of Science, Master of Science and Doctorate of Education degrees. As a devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he held many ward and stake offices throughout his life. He was a devoted father to his children and grandfather to his grandchildren.He is survived by Ellinor; his four children, Russell (Rosemary) Sorensen; Peter (Jody) Sorensen; Robert (Jane) Sorensen; Carol (Blake) Tillotson; and 14 grandchildren. Preceded in death by his parents and sister.

Funeral service will be held at 12 noon on Friday, August 7, 1998 in the Valley View 3rd Ward Chapel, 1925 E. Gunderson Lane (4101 South). Friends may call at the Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 South Highland Drive on Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m. and at the ward on Friday from 10:45-11:45 a.m. prior to service. Interment Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park.

 
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04/07/16 11:21 AM #1    

Sissel Hadel (Hawkes)

Lamar Sorenson is still...all these years later...so loved by me...by anyone who knew him.

At East in 1965 Lamar and  I bumped heads...and voices...over the East High directory..in order to print the directory that my staff and I wanted,we sold ads...we wanted all of Cathy Clawson's sketches inside the directory to also be in color...when the directories arrived,the inside sketches were in black and white...I  made my shock at the administration's use of our raised money for OTHER PURPOSES be known...Lamar was shocked at this sweet little junior raising havoc with the administration ....fast forward to 1973...Lamar is principal at Clayton, and I am sent to Clayton to teach from a closed Roosevelt Junior High.I entered his office not as Hadel but as Hawkes...his look contained horror as he saw my face...the words exited his mouth..."oh,no here comes trouble"...we were together for years before he left for East....I respected and loved him...we socialized as friends. ..Kay Peterson who became an incredibly good principal at Clayton and East after Lamar,considered Lamar a mentor...when Kay Peterson was forced out of East because of his support for gay rights,Lamar came ,as his friend, to support him at East....

Lamar was just...and insightful. ..and sweet...and kind...and respected. ..and loved

 


04/08/16 12:31 PM #2    

Heidi Hayes (Jacobs)

Lamar Sorensen encouraged me to take risks and to set my sights high.  To echo Sissel's comments,  I know he did this for many of us.   He had a direct and caring way of zooming in on each of us as individuals, gently prod us to realize our potential and stay true to ourselves.   I knew him for six years: first,  at Clayton Junior High and from there he followed us onto East with his advancement to assistant principal.    He was a cornerstone for me and I recall frequent engaging conversations about  the confusing and exhilarating experience of high school and the larger world.   I eventually went onto a career in education and looking back see a handful of significant leaders who influenced me to do so.  He is right at the top of that list.   He made a difference.        


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