Denis Stanley Sorenson, of Provo, Utah, graduated from this earthly realm to a higher one on December 19, 2023, less than one week shy of his 87th Birthday. His departure was due to complications from advancing kidney disease. Born in Ogden, Utah on December 25, 1936, to Willis Stanley Sorenson and LaRee Taylor Sorenson, Denis was never a fan of being a Christmas baby and sharing his birthday with the world. He grew up in Ogden and attended Weber High School, where his musical group, "The Three D's" would later be invited to perform at his 10-year Reunion. This would become one of his favorite memories. After high school and some college, he would serve a mission to Brazil for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, learning to speak fluent Portuguese, which he expanded into a lifelong love of learning new languages.

While attending Brigham Young University after his mission, he met and married Clarissa Joy Stolworthy, and they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on June 1st, 1960. Denis and Clarissa would go on to have 9 children; 7 daughters and 2 sons. Both graduated from BYU, Denis with a Master's Degree in Public Administration, and Clarissa with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. Clarissa would later get her Masters Degree from Arizona State University, going on to become a teacher and a Spalding Reading Specialist. Higher education was very important to them both, and they are and were very proud of their children and grandchildren who have gone on to earn college degrees.

While still attending BYU, Denis met Dick Davis and Duane Hiatt, and the three of them formed the folk music trio known as "The Three D's." They performed on college campuses across the country all through the 1960's, recorded with Capitol Records, toured Vietnam with Bob Hope, performing for the troops, and made an appearance on the Joey Bishop Show. Their unique blend of harmony and humor made them popular and unforgettable, leaving a lasting and ever-expanding musical legacy.

In 1970, Denis left The Three D's and moved his family from Orem, Utah, to Tempe, Arizona, where he took a teaching position at Arizona State University. He continued to play music and work on his songwriting, recording his solo material and performing often with his children. He would take his guitar everywhere, including kids' sporting events, always playing and singing. His pristine tenor voice was like no other, and the requests to sing were abundant throughout his life. The Sorenson Home was filled with music, harmony, laughter, and love.

Denis was always the first person to reach out and help the homeless and downtrodden, often bringing folks home for a meal, a shower, and sometimes help with finding work. He taught his children to work hard, choose for themselves, and have Faith; in themselves, in each other, and in God. He was a faithful, committed, and unwavering member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, his entire life. He modeled Integrity, Honesty and Kindness. He was always looking forward, working on his next big project, and often pronouncing "I ain't done yet!"

In 1998, after the passing of his father, Denis and Clarissa moved back to Utah to help care for his mother, which they continued to do until her passing in 2011. During this time, they both served in the Missionary Training Center in Provo, and later as Temple Workers at the Timpanogos Temple. Theirs was a life of Continuous Service.

Denis was preceded in death by his parents and adopted sister, Sandra. He is survived by his adopted sister, Sherlyn Moore (Preston), his Loving Wife of 63 years, Clarissa, and their 9 children, Peggy Parker (Bruce), Mark Sorenson, Sherisse Coombs (Lyle), Rebecca Brimhall (Scott), Melinda Christensen (Drew), Kristin Taylor (Barton), Roma Sorenson (Charles Zimmerman), Jeni Sorenson, and David Sorenson (Michele), 30 grandchildren, and 30 great grandchildren, with 3 more on the way. (Who Great Grandpa Denis is surely preparing for Earth Life with some solid advice for Success.)

The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff and hospice care team at Jamestown Assisted Living, for their kindness, compassion and professional care of both Denis and Clarissa.

There will be a Viewing for family members on Friday, December 29th, 2023, from 6-8pm at Walker Sanderson Funeral Home, 646 E 800 N, Orem, Utah. Funeral Services will take place on December 30, 2023, at the Geneva Heights 4th Ward LDS Chapel, 857 W 800 N, Orem, Utah. Viewing will be at 10:00 am, followed by Funeral services at 11:00 am. Interment will be at Orem City Cemetery.