Obituary: James LeVoy Sorenson

James LeVoy Sorenson

1921 ~ 2008

James LeVoy Sorenson left this earthly existence on a winter morning, Jan. 20, 2008, surrounded by his loving family.Jim was a robust 10-pound baby born in a farmhouse in Rexburg, Idaho on July 30, 1921, the first child of young parents Joseph LeVoy and Emma Blaser Sorenson. The love and encouragement provided by his parents enabled Jim to embrace life with enthusiasm and an optimistic attitude, even growing up in the midst of the Great Depression.

With this attitude, Jim overcame the poverty of his childhood to

become one of the world's leading inventors, entrepreneurs and philanthropists. He created a host of medical innovations that transformed patient care in hospitals and clinics throughout the world. Jim's inventions resulted in more than 40 patents and helped save or improve millions of lives. Some of his pioneering inventions included the disposable surgical mask, non-invasive plastic venous catheters, blood recycling and infusion systems, novel anti-clotting solutions, and the first real-time computerized heart monitoring systems. He founded dozens of dynamic entrepreneurial organizations in industries ranging from information technology to life sciences, real estate and

genetic genealogy.

Jim was raised in Northern California, and received a basketball scholarship to Sierra College. After this he was accepted into the naval V5 pilot training and V7 medical programs, but chose instead to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) to the New England States. Upon returning home in 1945, Jim enrolled in one semester at the University of Utah, pledging with Delta Phi. He later enlisted in the Maritime Service, where he went to officer's training in Shepherd Bay, New York. It was in the LDS Manhattan Ward in New York that he met his beloved bride, Beverley Taylor. Jim and Beverley were married 61 years, joining for time and eternity in the Logan Temple on July 23, 1946.

After an honorable release from his military service, Jim joined the Upjohn Company as a salesman. He worked there for eight years before co-founding Deseret Pharmaceutical Company. During this time, he also purchased GayLee Lingerie, a producer of modest lingerie which later became LeVoy's. The success of LeVoy's enabled Jim to invest in his real passion- medical products- and gave birth to his medical device company, Sorenson Research.