Glenn Sorum

PomeRoy Glenn Sorum (Glenn) was born on February 27, 1935 in Lawndale, Minnesota. His parents were Gilbert and Petra Hengebol Sorum. The young family soon moved to Pelican Rapids. Glenn spoke Norwegian only until he started elementary school. The family grew with the birth of sister Elaine and brother Larry. Shortly after WWII, the family moved to Medford, Oregon where they welcomed brother Dana in 1949. The family was very active in the Lutheran Church and Glenn had two years of Catechism classes before confirmation. His faith was very strong throughout his life. Attending Medford High School, he played clarinet in the band and was a cheerleader. While still in high school he won a dancing trophy engraved with “Jitterbug Champion of Southern Oregon” and his jazz ensemble, “The Hungry Five” made a recording. He maintained close ties with his Medford classmates his entire life. While still in high school he developed his love of cars and built his own “jalopy.” Glenn attended Oregon State College and was an active member of Sigma Phi Epsilon. He soon met his bride-to-be, Darolen Dunford. After graduating, Glenn worked as a mechanical engineer in the aerospace industry in Southern California. While he was modest, Glenn took pride in his role in the invention that allowed airplanes to fly upside down using the same tank of fuel. When Darolen graduated, she took a job with the government in San Francisco so she could be closer to Glenn. Glenn and Darolen married in 1960. Mike was born in 1963 and the family moved to Tigard where he took a job designing oscilloscopes at Tektronix in Beaverton. Erik was born in 1967. Glenn enjoyed teaching his family folk songs while he played the guitar. In 1972, the family moved to Sherwood where they established a Rhododendron nursery. Glenn participated in some of the earliest efforts of growing wine grapes in the area. Unfortunately, the deer got the better of the grapes. He took early retirement in 1981 to work with Darolen in the nursery. He was active on the Sherwood School Board and was instrumental in the founding of Sherwood Presbyterian Church. In 2016, they closed the nursery and then moved to Friendsview in Newberg. Glenn loved his family, playing the clarinet, restoring cars, singing in the choir, traveling, photography, dancing, biking, fly fishing, and his Norwegian heritage. He and Darolen had a wide circle of friends from school days as well as from their involvement at Christ the King Lutheran, and Calvin, Sherwood, and Newberg Presbyterian churches. While afflicted with Alzheimer’s in his later years, until his last day, Glenn retained his cheerful, positive, and very social personality and greeted everyone with a smile and often a joke or pun. When asked how he was he would respond with “Better than I deserve” and when someone told him to have a good day, he’d say, “I will if you will” with a big smile. Glenn is survived by his wife of 62 years, Darolen, sons Mike (Bernard), Erik (Greta), cherished granddaughter Rachel, and brother Dana (Susan) as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, sister Elaine, brother Larry, and beloved grandson Kasey. In lieu of flowers, for those so inclined, the family requests donations to the Prescott Bluebird Recovery Project: https://prescottbluebird.com/volunteerdonate/ Glenn took great joy in the numerous bluebird nest boxes located on the farm. Please indicate that the gift is in Glenn’s honor. To watch the Live Stream for the service please see the following website: www.newbergfpc/live-streaming and follow the directions for either connecting to the Youtube channel or Facebook page. Newberg, Oregon

Glenn Sorum

February 27, 1935 - November 23, 2022