Mark A. Sorley

Mark Andrew Sorley passed away peacefully on February 14, 2011. Integrity, wisdom, a great sense of humor, generosity, and compassion are just some of the gifts Mark shared with everyone he met. It figures that the Lord would call him home on Valentine's Day. Mark was born on March 12, 1920, to Frank M. and Louise "Lulu" Sorley in La Crosse, WI. Lulu died of diabetes in 1923; shortly thereafter, the family moved to Wenatchee to be near relatives. Mark graduated from Wenatchee High School, attended the U.S. Naval Academy and served in the U.S. Navy; he was honorably discharged after contracting rheumatic fever. Mark returned to Wenatchee and took a job with KPQ Radio as a reporter and radio personality. It was there he met the love of his life, Virginia Maus. They married in 1946, settled in Wenatchee and had three daughters: Kappy, Carol and Kristina. In 1952, Mark was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and, with Virginia's tenacious care, he successfully managed the disease for more than 58 years. Mark's love of great music was the catalyst behind big-name bands coming to Wenatchee in the 1940s and 50s. Together with Bob Godfrey and Bill Van Hoose, Mark brought the original (Nat) King Cole Trio to town. He also booked several dance bands, including Stan Kenton and Shep Fields. Community involvement was another of Mark's passions. He was one of the co-founders and first President of Wenatchee Exchange Club; active in both the Junior and Senior Chambers of Commerce; one of the original incorporators and trustees of Wenatchee's Future, Inc.; Chairman of the Queen's Ball and National Publicity for Apple Blossom; and he obtained a $1 million grant to develop the current Lake Chelan City Park. He also served on the vestries of St. Luke's and St. Andrew's Episcopal Churches in Wenatchee and Chelan. The highlights of Mark's professional career included co-owning and operating KMEL radio in Wenatchee and KOZI radio in Chelan, co-owning Lakeshore Pontiac-GMC in Chelan, owning and managing apartments in Seattle, and selling commercial title insurance for Safeco and Chicago Title in Seattle. Mark's first love and top priority was his family. He was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia, in 2003. His living legacy includes his daughters and their husbands: Kappy and Oly Olson of Bethel, AK; Carol and Roy Draggoo and Kristina and Eric Stepper, all of Wenatchee; grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Eric Olson; Brett (Candie) Reid and son, Dominic; April (Ryan) Sandstrom and sons, Taos and Olin; Matt Draggoo; Mark (Kate) Headley, daughter, Jada and son, John; Gabe Headley (Alina Wabaunsee) and son, Lucian; Lisa (Brian) Boyer; step-grandchildren, Lacey Stepper, Jaime (Chad) Poole and Korey Stepper; his sister, Jane Scheble; sister-in-law, Roberta Horton; and niece and nephews, Sally Caraher, Mike Scheble and Chris, Matt and Scott Horton. A Celebration of Mark's Life will be held on his 91st birthday, Saturday, March 12, 2011, at 1:30 p.m. at New Song Community Church, corner of Grant and Iowa in East Wenatchee. A Private Family Interment will be held separately. In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested in Mark's name to Wenatchee Exchange Club Youth Enrichment Programs, P.O. Box 1862, Wenatchee, WA 98807.

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Mark A. Sorley

February 14, 2011