Thomas Charles Sornsin

Thomas Charles Sornsin Jr. was born on July 14, 1948, in Fargo, North Dakota, during the transformative post-World War II era. His parents, Thomas Charles Sornsin Sr. and Phyllis (Roden) Sornsin, were deeply rooted in Fargo's Catholic community and represented the values of family, faith, and service that would define their son's character throughout his life.

Thomas Sr., born May 21, 1922, was himself a veteran who served his country before establishing a family in Fargo. Phyllis, born March 27, 1927, graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in 1944 and briefly worked for the U.S. Treasury Department filing War Bonds in Chicago before returning to North Dakota to attend NDSU and marry Thomas Sr. in 1946. The Sornsins were active members of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, where their faith anchored a large family that would eventually include eight children.

Growing up as the eldest son in a devoutly Catholic household, Thomas Jr. attended Shanley High School in Fargo, graduating in 1966. Shanley High School, formerly Sacred Heart Academy, provided a rigorous Catholic education that reinforced the values instilled at home. His graduation year placed him directly in the path of the Vietnam War escalation, as many young men of his generation would soon face military service obligations.

Thomas Jr. pursued higher education at Arizona State University, where he graduated with a degree in construction engineering. This choice to study in Arizona rather than remaining in the Midwest proved prescient, as it connected him to a state experiencing unprecedented growth and development. His engineering education positioned him perfectly for a career in Arizona's booming construction industry.

Following his education, Thomas Jr. served in the United States Army's 25th Infantry Division during the Vietnam War. The 25th Infantry Division, known as "Tropic Lightning," was one of the most heavily engaged American units in Vietnam, participating in major operations including Operation Attleboro, Operation Cedar Falls, and Operation Junction City. These operations were among the largest and most significant military actions of the war, involving tens of thousands of troops and resulting in fierce combat against North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces. Thomas Jr.'s service with this distinguished division during some of the war's most intense fighting demonstrated his courage and commitment to duty.

After completing his military service, Thomas Jr. established what his family described as "a long career in construction". While specific details of his professional projects remain private, his career coincided with Arizona's dramatic infrastructure expansion during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. This period saw the construction of the Central Arizona Project, massive suburban developments, and the transformation of the Phoenix metropolitan area into one of America's fastest-growing regions. His construction engineering background from ASU and his military experience in logistics and leadership served him well in this dynamic industry.

In approximately 1986, Thomas Jr. married Jodi, beginning a partnership that would span forty years until his death. Jodi, born January 1, 1961, was about ten years younger than her husband. Together, they built a loving family that included two children: Amanda and Benjamin.

The family faced significant challenges when their son Ben, born in 1991, became critically ill around his second birthday. Ben required a life-saving liver transplant, which led the family to the Children's Organ Transplant Association (COTA) in 1993. The transplant, performed in Los Angeles, cost nearly half a million dollars and required extensive community fundraising efforts in Phoenix. Local supporters, including an orthodontist who raised over $50,000 and Hunter Contracting's golf outing that raised nearly $20,000, demonstrated the family's deep community connections. Ben's successful transplant and recovery became a source of lasting gratitude, leading Thomas Jr. and Jodi to maintain a decades-long commitment to COTA's mission.

Thomas Jr.'s family connections remained strong throughout his life. His brother Robert (Bob) established RKS Plumbing & Mechanical in Glendale, Arizona, in 1990, suggesting multiple Sornsin family members found success in Arizona's construction industry. The family experienced losses over the years, including the death of Thomas Jr.'s brother Timothy in 2003 at age fifty-three following surgery complications at John C. Lincoln Hospital in Phoenix. Timothy, who had also served in the military during the Vietnam era (stationed in Korea), followed a similar path to his brother by eventually relocating to Arizona after completing his education at North Dakota State University.

The family maintained connections to their North Dakota roots while building new lives in Arizona. Thomas Jr.'s sister Julie Cardwell became a tax professional in Fargo, working from an office on Longfellow Road. His other siblings—Sarah Doran, Nancy Oster, and Mary Beth Stensgard—remained part of the extended family network that provided mutual support across geographic distances.

For his retirement years, Thomas Jr. and Jodi chose Sun Lakes, Arizona, an upscale active adult community. They purchased a home at 9012 E. Coopers Hawk Drive in 2019, establishing themselves in a community known for its golf courses, country clubs, and resort-style amenities. Thomas Jr.'s love of golf, mentioned prominently in his obituary, aligned perfectly with Sun Lakes' culture, which features multiple championship golf courses and an active social scene centered around recreational pursuits.

Jodi became actively involved in community service, serving as a board member of Neighbors Who Care, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping seniors maintain their independence. She also participated in the Sun Lakes Pickleball Club IronOaks, where she was noted for her positive attitude and resilience in overcoming medical challenges. The couple's community engagement reflected their values of service and their commitment to building meaningful connections in their retirement years.

The family's joy was renewed with the birth of their granddaughter Zara in 2025, when she was described as a seven-month-old infant. Zara represented the continuation of the Sornsin family legacy into a fourth generation, born to their adult children who had established themselves successfully in Scottsdale and Chandler. The proximity of their children allowed Thomas Jr. and Jodi to maintain close family relationships while enjoying their retirement lifestyle.

Thomas Jr.'s Catholic faith remained important throughout his life. His memorial service was held at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church in Chandler, reflecting the family's continued commitment to their religious traditions. The choice to request memorial donations to the Children's Organ Transplant Association rather than flowers demonstrated the family's ongoing gratitude for Ben's successful transplant and their desire to support other families facing similar challenges.

Thomas Charles Sornsin Jr. died peacefully at his home in Sun Lakes on March 28, 2026, at the age of seventy-seven. His death marked the end of a life characterized by service to country, dedication to family, professional achievement, and community involvement. He was survived by his wife Jodi, children Amanda and Benjamin (and Benjamin's partner Samantha), granddaughter Zara, and five siblings: Sarah Doran, Robert Sornsin, Nancy Oster, Mary Beth Stensgard, and Julie Cardwell.

His memorial service on April 14, 2026, at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church provided an opportunity for family and friends to celebrate a life well-lived. Thomas Jr.'s legacy continues through his family's ongoing commitment to helping children in need of organ transplants, the infrastructure he helped build during Arizona's development boom, and the example he set of faithful service, family devotion, and community engagement. His journey from a Catholic upbringing in Fargo through Vietnam War service to a successful construction career and peaceful retirement in Arizona embodies the American dream realized through hard work, courage, and unwavering commitment to family and community.