George L. Sorden

George L. Sorden
March 13, 1939 - November 06, 2013
South English, Iowa
Visitation: 5 PM to 8 PM November 08, 2013 at Powell Funeral Home & Cremation Service, North English, IA
Funeral Service: 2:00 PM November 09, 2013 at Hilltop Chapel, What Cheer, Iowa
Interment: November 09, 2013 at Sorden Cemetery, near Webster, Iowa
George L. "Bud" Sorden Jr. Passed away on November 6, 2013, at his home in rural South English from cancer. He was born in San Diego, CA on March 13, 1939, the son of George L. And Dorothy L. Barker Sorden. He moved to Iowa with his parents and later moved to Albuquerque, NM as a child. Bud grew up near an Army Air Base where his father worked Civil Service after spending four years in the US Navy. He found his love of airplanes there, learning to identify them by their sound in the air. In 1944, he moved back to Iowa. He attended all his schooling at Webster Consolidated School, in Webster, IA, graduating in the school's last class in 1956. On February 21, 1959, Bud married his school sweetheart Elaine E. Wemer in Webster. To this union three children were born. Ray D., John B. And Julie M. In 1961, he started flying. In 1962 Bud obtained his private license and in 1963, his commercial ticket. He then acquired thousands of hours in the air, flying ferry flights for dealers, some spraying and as a charter pilot for Solar Homes. Bud owned seventeen different airplanes, his favorite being a 1940 Meyers OTW, a WWII bi-plane. In 2012, Bud received the Wright Brothers "Master Pilot" Award from the Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration for over 50 consecutive years of safe aircraft flight. Bud was active as a Boy Scout Leader, providing Hunter Safety Programs and taking many young people on airplane rides. He collected old Allis Chalmers tractors and machinery. In 1984, along with his wife and the late Shorty Edmundson, formed Flying Eagle Ministries, taking food and clothing to the needy in the Appalachian Mountains of KY. Virtually all of his life was spent in the Webster community. Moving from the Sorden Farm, north of Webster in 1969, to his present residence. Bud spent most of his life farming and OTR truck driving. His interests were his family, flying, hunting, fishing and conservation. He was an active member of Hilltop Chapel, Experimental Aircraft Association, a lifetime member of Antique Aircraft Association, and a member of Allis Connection. Bud was president of Sorden Cemetery Association, a past member of Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, President of Webster High School Alumni and was on the board of the Keokuk County Historical Society. Bud is survived by his wife Elaine; son John (Betty) Sorden of Webster; daughter Julie Sorden and Richard Buehenman of South English; grandchildren: Renee (Lenny) Winn of Rochester, IA; Sasha (Josh) Hoylman of South English; Chastity (Quenten) Offerman of North English; Timber Sorden of North English; Brett Buehenman of Monroe, IA; Annie Jayne (Nick) Hol of Beacon, IA; 14 great grandchildren: his mother Dorothy Sorden of North English; sister Donna (Raymond) Gent of South English; and special friends Keith and Marlene Leinenweaver of South English. Bud was preceded in death by his father George L. Sorden Sr. and a son Roy. A Going Home Celebration will be held at Hilltop Chapel in What Cheer, IA on Saturday, November 9, 2013 at 2:00 PM. Pastor John DeBoef will officiate. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Friday, November 8th at the Powell Funeral Home in North English. Burial will in the Sorden Cemetery near Webster. In Lieu of flowers, the family requests using a general memorial fund or donating to the Antique Airfield Association in Blakesburg, IA. Memorials and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com under obituaries.