Jon (Jack) Sorensen
October 17, 1968 – September 5, 2026

It is with great sadness that our family shares the passing of our beloved Jon (Jack) Sorensen. To some, he was Jack. To others, he was Jon. And to generations of students, he was Mr. Sorensen—a teacher, musician, mentor, and someone who understood the power of lifting others up.

Jon (Jack) was a devoted brother, family member, friend, man of faith, and dedicated educator whose love of music and teaching touched countless lives. He was a man of many layers, with a heart and spirit uniquely is own. But through all the chapters of his life, one thing remained certain: Jon (Jack) was born with music in his bones.

Born October 17, 1968, Jon (Jack) was the son of Geraldine Reiber and was raised with the love and guidance of his beloved Pop and Nan Leadford. Surrounded by family and cousins, he developed bonds and values that remained important to him throughout his life.

Music was more than something Jon (Jack) played or taught. It was a gift, and he understood that a gift is meant to be shared. He shared his music freely, and in giving it away, he multiplied its impact through the ives of others.

Passionate about the arts and education, Jon (Jack) taught music at Jonesboro-Hodge High School in Jonesboro, Louisiana, where he had the opportunity to inspire generations of students. He gave his students far more than lessons in music. He gave them encouragement. He gave them confidence. He helped young people discover talents within themselves that they may not have known were there.

Jon (Jack) understood that when you lift one person up, you give that person the opportunity to lift
someone else—and in that way, the gift continues. The true measure of his career as an educator can be found not simply in the music he taught, but in the students who left his classroom believing a little more in themselves.

His faith was also an important part of his life. Jon (Jack) was active in his church and was known for playing the organ during Sunday services. Once again, music became his way of giving to others. Through the organ, he contributed to the worship and fellowship of his church community, sharing a talent that brought joy, reflection, and comfort to those around him.

Like all lives, Jon’s (Jack’s) life had its complexities and struggles, some of which were not always visible to those around him. But those struggles do not define the life we remember. We remember how he lived. We remember the music. We remember the teacher. We remember the students whose lives he touched. We remember the people he encouraged. And we remember the gift he shared with those he loved—his family, his cousins, his friends, and his students.|

Jon (Jack) is survived by his sisters, Susan Sorensen Knox and her husband, Douglas Knox, and Colleen Lynch and her husband, Patrick Lynch; his brothers, Adam Reiber and his spouse, Tristan Reiber, and Scott Sorensen and his spouse, Leslie Sorensen. William Reiber Step Father and Nancy Reiber Step Sister. He is also survived by his beloved aunts, Margaret Cavanaugh and Mary Ann Schriver, along with numerous cousins and extended family members throughout Pennsylvania, Arkansas, and Texas. It is with great sorrow that we say goodbye to our brother.
Jack. Jon. Mr. Sorensen.

Different names and different roles to so many people, but to us, one beloved brother. His music may have fallen silent, but the music he gave to others will continue. Because a gift that is truly
shared does not disappear. It lives on in everyone who received it—in every student he encouraged, every congregation he accompanied, every family member he loved, and every person who carries a memory of him.

We will miss him deeply. We will remember him always. And we will forever be grateful that he was our brother.

Scott, Adam, Colleen & Susan
Give our Ger a hug.

The Sorensen family is deeply grateful for the thoughts, prayers, kindness, and expressions of sympathy they have received during this difficult time. In Lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Paradise Funeral Home to help with service that was held on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at the Paradise Funeral Home Chapel in Jonesboro.