H. ROYAL SORENSEN completed his walk of faith on January 29, 2014.
He was the NFL feed announcer for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for 32 years, owner of Investment Planning, Inc. and Sorensen & Associates. Royal was born in Jacksonville, FL, graduated from Landon High School and the University of Florida. He became a US Naval Officer, making him a third generation sailor. He served at Miramar Naval Air Station in San Diego, CA. Lt. Sorensen also served during the pre-commissioning of the USS Enterprise, the first nuclear powered aircraft carrier and is a plank owner. His Danish father, Henry Christian Sorensen, migrated to the US in his twenties having come thru Ellis Island. Royal’s Mom, Eula Florida Haddock was from St Mary’s, GA.
Royal was married for 61 years to his high school sweetheart, Betty Jean Mickey also of Jacksonville, FL and was blessed with a daughter, Patricia “Lynn” and two sons, Mark Royal and H. Scott. Royal was known throughout Tampa and St. Petersburg as a true gentleman. He loved his God, his Family and his Country. He treated all friends and acquaintances with the same respect whether they were CEO’s or handymen. His integrity followed him wherever he went. People were drawn to him by his sincerity.
Royal was a dedicated member of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Largo, FL and served there in many capacities over the years. He loved to visit the hospitals and pray with those hurting. He became a Stephen Minister and Leader, a program of helping others. He also enjoyed his association with sports figures from his work as the press box voice of the Bucs. Some of his favorite sports friends are Doug Williams, Tony LaRussa, Jim and John Gruden; LeeRoy Selmon was a special friend. He enjoyed the company of many close friends over the years and considered them a blessing in his life.
Royal is survived by Betty, his wife, three children and their spouses, Lynn(Brian) Alexander (Leesburg Fl), Mark(Linda)Sorensen (Eustis Fl), Scott(Ellen)Sorensen (Jacksonville Fl). He has two brothers, John (Liz) in Fair Oaks MO and Glenn (Millie) in Tennessee and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. He counts his grandchildren as a wonder in his life-Trevor, Tracie, Amber, Cassidi, Michael, Taylor, Hunter and also his extended family, Dodi, Mike, Austin, Jimmy, Tami, Dalton, Hailey, Roland, Marilyn and Rob(Allie).
He survived open heart surgery, kidney cancer and melanoma, however, his last years were spent fighting IPF, an incurable lung disease.
Services will be held at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Largo, FL on Saturday, February 8, 2014 at 11:00 AM with pre-service reception and brunch to follow the service. Royal requested burial with his service comrades in the Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell on Tuesday, February 11, 2014 at 11:30 AM.
Veterans Funeral Care 727-524-9202
Your Scottish friends were sad to hear of the death of Royal
Betty and Family
Sending you my deepest heartfelt sympathy for your loss of Husband and Father..Royal was a true Gentleman in every sense of the word. .He will be remembered for the good man that he was… Treasure your precious memories of him. . They will sustain you in the coming months and years.. God Bless you Betty and your Family. . May he rest in peace..Love, Sharon
Dear Sorensen family,
I am so sorry to read of Royal’s passing. He was
very much a gentleman and great to work with.
I appreciated working with his wife, Betty, too.
You are in my prayers and God Bless you both.
Daylene Sadler
Rest in peace. My sincere sympathy to Royal’s family.
It was my pleasure to have had a friendship with Royal for all these years going back to the Buccaneer days. I truly appreciate all the times he would stop in and chat during his visits to Morton Plant.
My thoughts and prayer go out to the family
What a wonderful man of God. He will be missed.
My thoughts and prayers are with Betty and the family.