Our Staff

Richard Sorensen
Owner & Funeral Director

Richard Sorensen was born in Anderson, Indiana, and moved to Pinellas County shortly thereafter. After graduating from Clearwater High School, he attended St. Petersburg Junior College. He first started in the funeral service business in 1971 working for a funeral home in St. Petersburg, FL for sixteen years. Richard received his degree from Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science in Atlanta, Georgia, where he received the Scholastic Achievement Award and served as Vice President of the Student Body. In March of 1989, he purchased the former Gee & Pitts Funeral Home where he has served the Tampa Bay community ever since.

Richard is a member of the National Funeral Directors Association, Florida Funeral Directors Association, Independent Funeral Directors of Florida, and Past President of the Pinellas County Funeral Home Association as well as other civic groups.

Richard currently holds membership at Community Bible Baptist Church in St. Petersburg, FL, and is a member of Gideons International. He is also a licensed Coast Guard captain and actively participates in community boating events.

Eric Drews
Staff Funeral Director

Eric Drews was born and raised in New York State. He served honorably in the US Navy. Eric received his Mortuary Science Education with the State University of New York and has been a Licensed Funeral Director in Florida since 1995. Eric received his Crematory Operator Certification in 1998. Eric attends Unity Church and is actively involved in several civic groups.

Christopher J. Paynic
Staff Funeral Director

Chris graduated from St. Petersburg College in Funeral Services in 2010. Chris is originally from Alton, Illinois and comes from a family of Funeral Directors, Chris moved to Clearwater in 2003. Chris is pursuing his passion to assist others in a time of need and is a great addition to our staff.  Chris is active at the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Clearwater and spends his time off with his beautiful wife and 4 children.  

Wayne H. Parkes
Family Services Advisor

As our Family Services Advisor, Wayne will introduce our "My Careletter™" program to help you with the economic and emotional turmoil which inevitably follows the funeral. For those families who wish to discuss the benefits of planning a funeral for themselves or a loved one, Wayne will be glad to meet with you. He will provide valuable information on your questions about Social Security benefits, veterans’ benefits and how pre-paid funeral costs may receive favorable treatment for Medicaid qualification.

Planning ahead makes sense. As a licensed insurance agent for more than 16 years, Wayne knows that planning means different things to different people. And so we are pleased to offer our Legacy Series of informative seminars where we discuss the benefits of funeral pre-arrangements, the financial impact of long term care, family legacy planning, and the responsibilities of being a personal representative. Call or email Wayne for more details.

Stephanie Hall
Administrative Assistant

Stephanie has over five years experience in restaurant management and a year experience in banking. As administrative assistant at Gee & Sorensen Funeral Home, she is responsible for file organization, meeting deadlines and general office administration.  Stephanie's goal is to provide efficiency to the funeral home staff and in turn, peace of mind to the families we serve.

Stephanie is a member of Community Bible Baptist Church in St. Petersburg and is active in the choir and children's programs.