Maynard Melville Sorensen

Maynard Melville Sorensen passed from this life on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, in St. George, Utah, at age 97 with his loving wife of 74 years, Leonora “Nonie” Nelson, by his side. Maynard was born May 15, 1926, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Ethel Melville and Horace August Sorensen. He was the second oldest of four children—twin sister Margery, Beth Ann, and Stanford. They grew up on Connor Street in East Millcreek, where Maynard rode his beloved horse, Freckles, to deliver newspapers. At age 18 he joined the Navy and served in the South Pacific during WWII. He remained a proud veteran for the rest of his life, playing taps on his trumpet as part of the honor guard at many of his fellow veterans’ funerals. After the war Maynard served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Eastern Canada Mission. He labored diligently, immersed himself in the scriptures, and particularly came to love the prophecies of the Old Testament. Upon his return, he met and married Nonie, who was truly the love of his life. They were wed on December 22, 1949, in the Salt Lake Temple. They raised 11 children on music, adventure, and the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Maynard worked for 30 years in the family business, South East Furniture in Sugarhouse. He managed the credit and accounting department, but his flair for artistry was on display each week in the company’s advertisements. Maynard loved airplanes, boats, and cars. He flew his planes for 50 years between Canada, Mexico, Peru, and Puerto Rico. Nonie and the children were often on board for those memorable sojourns. Maynard always owned a boat and was known as “El Capitan” in the family circle. His main destination was Lake Powell, but he also made legendary forays to the Sea of Cortez along the Baja Peninsula. Maynard loved 4-wheel drive vehicles and took many trips to the red rock country of southern Utah. He always returned to Boulder Mountain where family gathered for the annual deer hunt each fall. Dad’s love for hunting, fishing, and adventure took him all over the western United States, Mexico, Canada, and on safari in Africa. Maynard was a scouter. He received his Eagle award as a teenager and helped his six sons achieve that award also. He served as a scoutmaster for nearly 70 years and influenced the lives of many young men. In 1979 he was honored to receive the Silver Beaver Award for a lifetime devoted to scouting. He was instrumental in having the Boy Scouts of America recognize and award the Eagle badge to scouts with disabilities over the age of 18. He loved and cared for his grandchildren and many other young people throughout his long life. At the age of 57 Maynard took on a new vocation of carving birds and waterfowl. In a short time, he went from novice to master carver, winning many awards and ribbons. His works of art, including antler chandeliers, adorn homes and museums across the country. Beginning in 1988, Maynard and Nonie served the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in historic Nauvoo, Illinois, for 15 summers. While Nonie composed, directed, and accompanied musical programs, Maynard took charge of the lighting and sound. Together they auditioned, mentored, and nurtured hundreds of young performing missionaries whom they came to love through their close association. If you asked Maynard what he cherished most in this life it would be his love for Nonie, his family, his country, and the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was preceded in death by his brother, his son Kent (Julie), and great grandson Chet Jensen. He is survived by his wife, his sisters, and ten children: Ramona (the late Craig Stirling, Don Hales), Scott (Pat), Janette (Stephen Marshall), Howard (Lisa), Barbara (Brad Cahoon), Cynthia (Eric Collier), Georgia (Mark Anderson), Douglas (Elizabeth), Daniel (Jana), and Victor (Jeanna), 58 grandchildren and 123 great grandchildren. An open house for friends and family will be held in St. George, Utah, on Sunday, Oct. 8th, from 4-6 pm, at the Sorensen residence, 155 N. 200 E., Ivins, Utah. A funeral service will be held in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, at 12:00 pm at the East Millcreek Ward, 3750 Hillside Lane, Millcreek, UT, 84109. A visitation will be held prior to the funeral from 10:30-11:30 am. Dedication of the grave will be at Wasatch Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Missionary Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Maynard Melville Sorensen

May 15, 1926 - September 19, 2023