Our Staff
Our Staff
Cari Hays FDR3156 and AE14086
Funeral Director and Embalmer Apprentice
Called to be in the service of others, Cari first went into the U.S. Army as a counselor for both active duty and civilian members. Later she started her own company working and for over 20 years provided estate management services to families after a loved one’s death. Finally, she shifted back to her original goal in life and became a funeral director. Adding adjunct skill sets along the way, Cari uses a wholistic approach to ensure that each family receives the care they need.
Telephone: 1-707-539-2921
Daniel Tellez
Co-owner
For the past 35 years Dan’s company DRT Enterprises, Inc. has provided management services to cemeteries across the nation. Including the National Cemetery Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs. A Native Californian residing in both Morgan Hill and Petaluma. Dan is committed to ensuring all families be blessed with dignified closure. Co-owner of Parent Sorensen Mortuary and Crematory since 2022.
Telephone: 1-707-763-4131
James M. Smith FDR1708 EMB6336 CRM156
Co-owner, Funeral Director and Crematory Manager
Born, reared and educated in Petaluma, Jim is a third generation “Petalumian”. He graduated from St. Vincent High School, attended Santa Rosa Junior College, and graduated from the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science. Jim joined the staff of Parent Funeral Chapel in June of 1973 as a funeral director and embalmer. In 1977 he became a partner along with Martin “Buzz” Rodgers and Arthur W. Parent and in 1981 Jim and Buzz purchased the remaining stock from Mr. Parent. The following year, Jim and Buzz purchased the Sorensen Funeral Home and merged the businesses to the Parent location. In 1984 they opened a branch in Sebastopol and in 2005 purchased the Lafferty and Smith Colonial Chapel in Santa Rosa. As an active member of our community, Jim has been a member of the Petaluma Kiwanis Club for 47 years, a longtime member of the Petaluma Elks Lodge #901, Nicasio Parlor #183, Native Sons of the Golden West, Harmony Grove Druids, Sonoma-Marin Italian Club, Italian Catholic Federation, Sebastopol Council Young Men's Institute, Petaluma Golf and Country Club and Bodega Harbour Golf Club. He has also served on the boards of the Petaluma Chamber of Commerce, San Antonio Volunteer Fire Department and the Petaluma Educational Foundation. He is a member of St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Parish in Bodega, CA. Jim and his wife Jackie have been married since 1979 and reside in Bodega Bay. Jackie retired after a 36 year career as an elementary school teacher in Windsor, CA.
Telephone: 1-707-763-4131
Jeanne Dreikosen
Accounting Administrator
Having been a bookkeeper for 50 years she has specialized in Cemetery and Funeral accounting and bookkeeping for the past 35 years.
She has been with Parent-Sorensen Mortuary and Crematory for over 20 years and appreciates working with such a dedicated and caring team. Jeanne and her husband David have lived in Petaluma for over 50 years. Both of their sons went to local schools and graduated from Casa Grande High School. They have 2 Grandsons who are the “light of their lives”! Jeanne is a life-long Giants Fan and she and David have thoroughly enjoyed having Giants Season Tickets for 21 years. Her favorite activities include spending time with her grandsons and family, getting together with friends, and watching the Giants or Warriors on TV when she’s not at a game.
Telephone: 1-707-763-4131
Jody Atkinson
Funeral Administrator
Parent-Sorensen's own death certificate and permit "Whisperer". Able to keep records organized in a single bound. Providing impeccable stealth support for all business operations.
Telephone: 1-707-539-2921
Nou Andee
Funeral Arranger
Renee Cardenas
Arrangement Counselor- Sebastopol Location
After several years in the graphics industry, and looking for more meaningful work, Renee decided to pursue her interest in the funeral industry. Renee’s greatest hope is to make some of the hardest moments in peoples’ lives a little easier to endure. Renee has dedicated herself to the families of Parent-Sorensen Mortuary in Sebastopol and Lafferty & Smith Colonial Chapel for over 16 years. Above all else, Renee hopes to honor the needs and wishes her families bring to her and to address their concerns with empathy and care.
Telephone: 1-707-829-5433
Tamila Meyer
Accounting Administrator
Thomas Eyre FDR2553 EMB9005 CRM529
Funeral Director, Embalmer, Crematory Operator
Thomas joined the family of Parent-Sorensen in 2021 and feels privileged to be among his own neighbors in Petaluma. Within two weeks of graduating from high school, Thomas started in the profession as an apprentice embalmer. A few years after graduating from Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service in Houston, Texas in 2001, Thomas moved back to his West Coast roots in California. Thomas has served in the funeral service profession for 27 years and is licensed in the states of California and Texas. He enjoys living in downtown Petaluma with his husband, Roger, and cat, Phoebe. Bicycling, walking, and going for scenic drives along the Pacific Coast Highway to occupy his time when away from the funeral home.
Telephone: 1-707-763-4131
Trina Bagley
Administrative Assistant
Jason Vigil
Funeral Associate and Coordinator
Born and raised in Sonoma County, Jason has had the privilege of assisting families and his teammates for over 3 years at Parent-Sorensen. He is known for being a “Jack of all trades” in the office. An exceptionally hard worker, Jason is committed to each task he begins. Doing double time, he is also a full-time student at Sonoma State University working towards his degree in Psychology.
Telephone: 1-707-763-4131
