Clifford Carl Sorensen Jr.

Clifford Carl Sorensen Jr. passed away peacefully on December 25th, 2025, with his loving wife by his side, he was 76 years old. He was born in Artesia, California on January 13th, 1949, the only boy in a family of girls.

He always said that his father taught him the meaning of hard work. As a young boy he would go with his father who was a Milkman and help him with his milk deliveries. Some days his dad would take him around to collect cardboard to recycle for extra money. They also raised rabbits which he would again do later in life, much to the dismay of his children as they all hated butchering day.

When he was in High School the family moved to their family’s ranch in Potter Valley, California, where he joined the football team – the Potter Valley Bearcats – and graduated High School. He then married and had 2 children before becoming a Police Officer in Los Angeles, California. He later divorced and moved back to the family ranch in Potter Valley and became a Deputy Sherriff in Mendocino County. It was there that he met a lovely lady who had 3 children who he loved and cherished throughout their lives. He ended up being the resident Deputy for Boonville, California where they all lived until once again moving back to the family ranch in Potter Valley. It was there that they raised rabbits, chickens, pigs, and he also had a pet hawk. He loved to garden so they had a huge garden where they grew lots of sweet corn and watermelon which he loved, along with various other veggies. He also started growing garlic (which he would mail to family members and friends over the years) and did so up until his death. Now one of his daughters and a granddaughter are carrying on that tradition.

Clifford had many careers over the years; he drove a logging truck with his faithful dog Jake by his side, raised veal calves, worked at the Ukiah Co-Op and started his own business "Cliffs Compost". Later as a bachelor he moved to Willits, California out at the Sherwood Ranch on 40 acres to be a caretaker. He would later buy those 40 acres and resided there for the next 20 years, where he turned it into a gardener’s paradise. In 2006 he married his longtime friend of 23 years Janette, and they shared their lives together at the ranch for another 14 years. In that time, they traveled across the country when they could, had a huge garden, cats, dogs, and raised many pairs of pigs. One of Clifford's favorite things to do was to cook a big pot of oversized squash with egg noodles for the pigs then sit and watch them eat it. As a couple they were able to fulfill one of Clifford’s dreams of having a vineyard and making his own wine. They planted 1,400 Pinot Noir grapes and started Three Frogs Vineyard. In January 2020 they sold the ranch (the current owner still makes wine under the Three Frogs label) and moved to their home in Brooktrails outside of Willits where they continued to garden, live, love, and laugh together!

He also loved traveling from coast to coast, ice fishing on Flathead Lake in Montana, bird hunting in Utah and Nevada, and salmon and steelhead fishing in our rivers with family and friends.

He is survived by his wife of 20 years Janette Sorensen; son Bill McAnally (Deanna), daughters Terri Leedy (Tommy), Rhonda McAnally, and Christie Ann Rea (Mike); his brother Pat MacMillian (Jill), and his sister Pat Sorensen: 6 grandchildren: Hailee Stettner (Cam), Alex McAnally (Ashley), Christopher Leedy, Brandon, Brittany and Ben Rea; great grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and extended family members. He also leaves behind many cherished and lifelong friends. He is predeceased by his mother Alice Ann MacMillian; father Clifford Carl Sorensen Sr.; 3 sisters Rosalie Sorensen, Bonnie Maynard, Nancy MacMillian and his beloved son Clifford (Bub) Carl Sorensen III.

Although your light is no longer here, you will shine brightly and live on in our hearts forever. Until we meet again "breathe easy".

In lieu of flowers the family requests that you consider a donation in Clifford’s name to the Willits Food Bank or Plowshares of Ukiah.

A Celebration of life will be held at the Brooktrails Community Center (located at 24850 Birch St., Willits) on Saturday March 21st, 2026, at 1pm. Clifford always loved a "potluck dinner" so we ask that you not only bring your favorite stories of Clifford but your favorite dish as well.