Michael F. Sorrell, M.D.
July 4, 1935 – May 25, 2024
Passed away peacefully on May 25, 2024, age 88.
Preceded in death by parents, Frank and Emma Mae (nee Craven); brothers, LaRue (Harriet), and Leston (Dorothy); sister, Etolia (Harry) Rogers.
Survived by devoted wife of 67 years, Shirley (nee Harrison); son, James, along with his children, Emily (Joe) Braun, Kate (Louis) Costello, Madeline (John) Sorrell-Dealey, Chloe (Collin) Brody, and Naala; son, W. Thomas, along with his children, Claire and Lauren; son, John (Kerri), along with their children, Blake (Cathy), Johnny, and Grant (Jessica); and son, Michael II, along with his child, Harold; 14 great-grandchildren; brothers, Dennis (Vanessa) James (Pam), and Steve (Sue) Orton; many nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, other family, friends and colleagues.
Mike was born in St. Louis, MO on July 4, 1935. Weighing just over 3 pounds, he was the smallest child to survive at that time. This and various adversities as a child forged a determination to defy expectations of failure. He never really stopped working and achieving; not for his own vainglory, but because of his dedication to progress, to “make the light of learning shine brighter”. He demanded the same of those around him.
When he was 11, his mother married Frank Sorrell, who adopted him and his younger brother, Denny. This was possibly the proudest day of Mike’s life; Frank made his own and Emma’s children a family, and the birth of brother, Jim, made the family complete. From then on Mike “belonged” and would wear and jealously guard the surname SORRELL with pride.
Frank was a force in Nebraska politics and a progressive Democrat. When Mike finished Medical School, Frank said “I suppose now that you are a doctor you’ll vote Republican!” No chance. Mike was a lifetime Democratic because of Frank and because he believed in progress. He suffered a lot raising 4 boys, but at least they are Democrats.
Along with his devotion to his adopted family, he was devoted to his adoptive faith. His conversion in college was a “Saul on the road to Damascus” story, and the random kindness of a Priest was rewarded with a lifetime of commitment to the Catholic Church. This faith he brought to Shirley and to each child, grandchild, and great-grandchild, every one of which was baptized in the same baptismal gown.
Mike loved Nebraska; while his academic success spanned continents, he always remained here, seeking to make his contributions FOR Nebraska. He always said that Nebraska gave him his education, his opportunity to work and he owed them his best in return. His commitment to the University of Nebraska Medical Center helped usher it into the 21st century as a world- class academic institution.
Still, his early career in Family Practice in Tecumseh and greater Johnson County was perhaps the most consequential; he loved these people and never stopped speaking of his time there.
Mike valued loyalty above all else; to his wife of 67 years, Shirley, his family, friends, church, political party, the medical profession, and the State of Nebraska.
VISITATION: Wednesday, May 29th from 5pm to 7pm at Christ the King Catholic Church, 654 S. 86th St., followed by VIGIL SERVICE at 7pm. MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Thursday, May 30th at 10;30am at Christ the King Catholic Church. Family Interment: Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the University of Nebraska Foundation.
To view live broadcasts of the Vigil Service and Mass, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “Live Cast” button at the top of the home page.
35 Comments
Dr. Sorrel was a driving force for Nebraska Medicine for decades.
To Shirley, Jim, and all the Sorrell Family,
There are few people who touched the lives of so many people the way Dr. Sorrell did. His humor, his passion for providing the highest quality of medical care was beyond measure. It was an honor to have been able to work with him at UNMC in the transplant program. There is no doubt that God has a special place in heaven for such a wonderful servant.
May he rest eternal in our Lord’s loving hands. And may God grant you all his peace.
Dr. Sorrell will remain forever in my heart.
Dr. Sorrell taught many lessons about dedication, persistence, honor, and commitment. His legacy will live on for countless future generations.
Dear Shirley and family, My heartfelt condolences. My thoughts and prayers are with you and family.
Jim and Sorrell family members, I am so sorry for the passing of Dr. Sorrell. I had the pleasure of working along the side of him for 3 years. He was a driving force in medicine. He will be truly missed & remembered.
We offer our sincere condolences to the Family of the late Dr Sorrell. We are grateful for his decision to recruit us to UNMC in 2001. Dr Sorrell made a lasting difference in our lives and in the lives of many in our community..Gale,Ciaran, Cillian,Fedja.
Shirley and family, Please accept our heartfelt condolences on Mike’s passing. He was an inspiration to all of us in the Liver study Unit at the Omaha VAMC and the UNMC.
Dear Shirley and family—We are sorry to learn of the passing of Dr Sorrell. He was our teacher and mentor. He will be fondly remembered. Today and always, may his loving memories bring you strength and comfort.. We wish to give our sincere condolences to you and your family.
Romana and Ishfaq Bhat
To the Sorrell Family,
My condolences to you all. Your dad did a lot for His Patients, The Med Center and Omaha.
May all the great family memories get you through this time.
Laura and Mark Gilliland
My deepest and heartfelt condolences. Dr. Sorrell was a great mentor and his legacy will last forever.
I worked with Dr Sorrell for many years, he was the absolute best. Not only an amazing Dr, but an all around great guy. He was always there for me and my family and always went over and above to help. My dad died when I was in high school and Dr Sorrell was like a father figure to me and a great friend to my family. He would always talk so lovingly of his wife, sons, daughter in laws, and grandchildren, he was so proud of them and loved sharing stories about them. He will be greatly missed. Love and prayers to Shirley and the family.
I will never forget the day I called you Doc. Immediately after that you told me my friends call me Mike! Well, Mike you and Shirley were a true blessing to Connie and me. Our travels together and all the lessons you taught the group will never be matched! We are so proud to be called friend and only sadden we never made it to Italy with Y’all. What a trip that would have been. Sending love with tears to Shirley and all the family.
What a great man and family. Mike had a great influence on my life. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Love you!
He has touched many lives including mine . Great Mentor, True legend !
Sincere condolences!!
Saurabh
Thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
My wife has had severe liver problems for much of her adult life. We were lucky enough to have Dr Sorrell as her doctor for several years. We can’t say enough good things about him. Condolences to his family.
Mike Sorrell brought me to Omaha to my very first faculty position at UNMC and over the next 12 years, guided my academic and clinical progress. Though I did not become a hepatologist, he supported and mentored me in the path I chose in gastroenterology and, when I left Omaha, was always at hand to lend advice which may not have always been what I wanted to hear but was invariably correct. Advice was carefully reasoned, thoughtfully personal to the recipient and delivered with kindness and humor. He was unique – a complete internist, a world-renowned (and universally liked and admired) hepatologist, a committed scientist and an unrivalled teacher. His impact is based, not only on these traits, but on his incredible leadership skills, vision and ability to bring all along towards achieving that vision. Thank you, Mike and thank you, Shirley and all the family for allowing him to spend time guiding us.
May your memories bring you peace. Jim always held Mike is high esteem.
Dear Shirley and the Sorrell Family: We extend our deepest condolences to you on the passing of Dr. Sorrell (Mike to us). Though we knew him only at the end of his career, there was no mistaking the monumental impact he had on UNMC and the people who supported its mission, and the ambitious trajectory that he sent it
on. He made an indelible impression on people who got to meet him and offered an invaluable relationship to those who got to know him. His memory will be a blessing to all those who knew him. His legacy will be a blessing to all who become part of UNMC.
Dear Shirley and family: You are all in my thoughts and prayers at this time. There have been many and will be testimonials and accolades regarding his love, vision and devotion to UNMC which are well deserved but as you know, you his family was always first. I was fortunate to be one of those who had an opportunity to have been able to learn medicine and to me he was a role model as an educator and leader of how to be caring, compassionate, generous with your time and always striving to provide the your best possible effort in striving for excellence in patient care. Those of us who had the opportunity to train and work with him as students, residents, fellows, nurses and faculty members all have come away better from that experience. His guidance always came with a sense of wanting us to achieve more and be better versions of ourselves. I hope that you can find peace and serenity in knowing how much he loved you all and how much he meant to me.
Dr. Sorrell was our family physician in Tecumseh, NE. We were sad when he left, but happy for him in advancing his career. Our paths crossed once again when I was a student nurse at Immanuel Hospital School of Nursing when he was rounding as a consultant. My condolences to the family on the loss of your wonderful spouse, father, and grandfather.
Our sincerest condolences from the family of George and Frances Schmidt.
I can’t say enough about the impact Dr Mike had on my life and career. He recruited me to UNMC during my medical school interview, endorsed my internship in internal medicine and helped me choose my residency in psychiatry! In later years we collaborated clinically on many cases. He was simply the best. A gentleman and a scholar. My condolences to the family.
Shirley
You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
The Tom Morrissey family. Tecumseh,ne.
I had the honor of working with Dr. Sorrell for many years in the liver transplant program. His presence was forcefully kind, funny and if necessary, stern. He taught me so much about liver disease and transplant, but he taught me more about being a strong patient advocate and dedication to patient care. He was one of the finest men I have ever met. He will be long remembered here at Nebraska Medicine and UNMC.
Shirley and family, We are deeply saddened to learn of Mike’s passing. You both and the boys are so special to us in many ways. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Dr. Sorrell gave us hope when no one else could.. He saved our daughter Julie’s life twice. No words could ever express our gratitude. He will be forever in our hearts and prayers.
Mike and Shirley were our neighbors in Ralston during the 60’s. As a 15-year-old boy he always appeared to me to be the kindest, most caring man I knew. They are an amazing family and later in life when my dad and mom were having health problems Mike was always there. He made us feel confident we had the best treatment available anywhere. My deepest condolences to Shirley and family. If anyone is in heaven it would be Mike. Bill
So sorry for your loss of your lived one. Our dad was under Dr. Sorrell’s care and received a liver transplant at UNMC in 1999. Both our parents thought so highly of Dr. Sorrell. His name was spoken many times in our house with such gratitude and respect – a wonderful man and doctor.
With thanks –
Initially, as a young boy growing up in Tecumseh, Nebraska, I have to say I wasn’t fond of doctors, or more accurately, was somewhat afraid of doctors.
My father was a pharmacist in town (Donald Bauermeister) who just happened to be married to my mother (of course).
Well, my mother, the BEAUTIFUL Joy Nadine Best just happened to be the long time, growing up, best high school friend of Shirley Harrison.
This Shirley Harrison of course happened to be married to a conspicuous, bespectacled MD at the Johnson County Hospital back in the 1960’s named Mike Sorrell. I of course was always a little nervous when coming into contact with Dr Sorrell.
Unfortunately, since our parents happened to be close personal friends, occasionally facing Dr Sorrell was inevitable, he took my tonsils out. Eventually, his son Mike II my friend long ago in Tecumseh saved one of my son’s life in emergency surgery. Wow!
Dr Sorrell was a good friend of.my father, Dr Daniel Miller, and he was a wonderful role model for me as I began my surgical career. He told the truth and words he spoke to me 25 yrs ago about what it takes to be a successful physician and surgeon ring true today. My thoughts and prayers to his family. He was one of the truly good people in this world.
Dr. Sorrell had a tremendous effect on me as a medical resident at UNMC which helped lead me into hepatology. I will never forget his dedication to his patients and the way he developed such a rapport of kindness and affection with them. I have tried to emulate his character always in my practice. His teaching tree is immense in hepatology throughout the country and the world and I know many of my colleagues join me in sending my condolences. May his memory be eternal.
May your wonderful memories bring you peace at this time. When I hear Dr. Sorrell – I cannot but smile!!! He had a tremendous effect on me and my family. Mike and I will never forget his generosity and kindheartedness him and Shirley gave to us. His sense of humor was unique. What a wonderful man and Dr.
Dr. Sorrell was a wonderful man and someone I thoroughly enjoyed seeing around UNMC. He always made it a point to say hi to me when he’d pass by my office and this felt particularly special since it was inside the building with his name on it. He was such a kind and wise person; I feel lucky to have known him.
You made a difference the way you lived your life and the accomplishments you set for goals. Healing strength to your family and friends. May the North Wind carry you home.
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