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James Walter Sorensen — lifelong farmer, rancher, craftsman, and proud son of the eastern Colorado plains — peacefully departed this life October 10, 2025, in his home surrounded by family and friends. His life was defined by faith, humility, curiosity, and an unwavering devotion to his land, his family, and his community.

Born September 23, 1939, on the Sorensen Homestead near Karval, James was the beloved son of Edward Sorensen and Bertha (Ugland) Sorensen. The homestead, founded in 1911, became both the foundation of his childhood and the anchor of his life’s work. From an early age, James learned the value of honesty, perseverance, and hard work — lessons that would guide him through every season of his life.

As a young man, James was deeply involved in 4-H, where his natural leadership and love of learning shone brightly. He served as president of his local 4-H club and earned numerous awards for accurate record keeping, agricultural skill, and project excellence. His time in 4-H sparked a lifelong love of science and experimentation, inspiring him to pursue new and better ways to grow, build, and innovate. That same spirit later led him to start his own successful grass seed company, OWFYN. His passion for farming, ranching, and learning became something he proudly passed down to his children, instilling in them the same respect for nature, knowledge, and hard work that defined his own life.

After graduating from Karval High School, James attended electricians college, where he discovered his remarkable mechanical ability and problem-solving skills. He returned home to Karval with those talents and began a lifetime of building and innovation. He had an exceptional ability to engineer and fabricate equipment, including the custom trailers he designed and built himself — creations that became central to his successful custom harvesting business, which he operated for many decades alongside his closest friends in the Karval community. Together, they traveled across the Plains and San Luis Valley each harvest season, working hard, sharing stories, and forming friendships that would last a lifetime.

James was also an avid hunter and fisherman, spending countless hours in the great outdoors with his friends, many of whom were game wardens. He was even recruited to become a game warden himself, but his heart was always with the homestead and his family.

A man of many gifts, James was also an expert pistol shooter, known across the region for his precision and steady aim. He won numerous trophies and was regarded as one of the finest marksmen around.

When he wasn’t on the ground, James found freedom in the sky. As an avid pilot, he often said he felt “most free when he was in the air with his wings.”

“Well, Dad… you have your wings now in Heaven. Fly for eternity with our Lord and Savior”

Many may be surprised to know that James also loved instrumental music, particularly the smooth sounds of Bill Black’s playing on his 8-track in his car cruising down the road. Beneath his rugged exterior was a man who appreciated the simple beauty of melody — perhaps because it mirrored the quiet balance of his own life.

James was known for his steady hands, sharp mind, and kind heart. He was the kind of man who could fix almost anything, solve nearly any problem, and make everyone feel at ease. His dry humor, gentle wisdom, and quiet reliability made him a cornerstone of both his family and the Karval community.

He is survived by his children, Tony Sorensen and his wife Dawn Sorensen, of Karval, and Kathy Pfost and her husband Jack Pfost, of Rush; grandchildren, Jace Pfost of Karval, Taylor Russell of Falcon, Brian Sorensen and his wife Janice Sorensen, of Greeley; and great grandchildren Mcrea Sorensen and Sven Sorensen.

James’ legacy will forever live on in the whisper of the prairie wind, the hum of the combine, the flight of a hawk over golden fields, and the laughter of his grandchildren roaming on the land he loved so dearly. His story is one of strength, curiosity, craftsmanship, and love — a legacy that continues to inspire all who were blessed to know him.

The family wishes to express a very special thank-you to Aliyah Bunch, Hunter Fox, Brenda Goetz, Dianna Elliott, and Jennifer Rasmussen among others for their extraordinary care, compassion, and kindness in helping care for James over the last few years. Their support brought peace and comfort during his final days, and the family will forever be grateful.

Graveside funeral services were held October 16, 2025, at the Karval Cemetery in Karval. A celebration of life followed at the Karval Fellowship Church, to gather in fellowship to honor James’ remarkable life and the sharing of memories. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Karval Fellowship Church to re-establish new trees at the Karval Park — a place dear to James’ heart, where he loved to park his truck and “supervise” the daily activities of Karval in his later years. These trees will grow as a living tribute to his life, his laughter, and his love for the community he called home.

Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Brown Funeral Home in Hugo.