Obituary of John W. Orr Jr.
John W. Orr Jr, of Webster, FL, and previously of Fairmont, WV, and Wheeling, WV, died on March 11, 2018. He was born on October 16, 1941, the son of the late John W. (Bill) and Gladys B. Orr. He had one sister, Linda O. (Gary) Morgan of Bridgeport, WV, and two sisters-in-law, Carole Wilburn (Gib) of Bridgeport, WV, and Dodie Libicer (Steve) of Franklin, PA, and several nieces and nephews.
John married Susan Jenkins on August 5, 1961. He is also survived by two daughters and their husbands, Katherine L. Hansen (Curt Hansen) of Burlington, KY, and Jennifer L Gray (Barry Gray) of King George, VA, and one son, J. David Orr of Bridgeport, WV. John and Susan loved their children and were very proud of their accomplishments; they were especially proud of the closeness they have maintained throughout the years
John loved his two grandchildren. His granddaughter, Amber Gray of New York, gave John and Susan much pride as they watched Amber’s acting and singing career progress. John loved going to NY to watch Amber in the Broadway show “The Great Comet.” In 2015, Amber blessed John with a great-grandson, Angus Blue Hamilton. Their grandson, C. Van Hansen of Burlington, KY, was a high school soccer player who’s games turned them into typical soccer grand-parents, often to Van’s embarrassment. John was very proud of Van’s military career as a Search and Rescue Navy Corpsman.
John graduated from Fairmont Senior High and West Virginia University. His career spanned 45 years in manufacturing, working in the fields of Engineering, Quality and Management. He also taught courses related to management and quality functions and implemented processes associated with manufacturing.
John’s Masonic life started when was raised in November 1974 at Steuben Lodge No 112, F&AM in Bath, NY, and served as Master in 1982. He was a member of the Valleys of Corning, Binghamton and Rochester. In the Valley of Corning he served as Sovereign Prince (2000/01), Most Wise Master (1979/80) and Commander-In-Chief Member of the Supreme Council 33° in 2000. John served as the Deputy’s Representative to the Valley of Corning and the editor for the Valley Voice, the Valley newsletter. He was a member of the Royal Order of Scotland.
John became a member of Kalurah Shriners in November 1975. He was a member of the Directors Staff. John served as Potentate in 2010 and served as Recorder in 2014 and 2015. He was a member of the Royal Order of Jesters, Court No. 61.
John was a member of Bath Chapter No 95, RAM; Bath Council No 40, R&SM; and DeMolay Commandery No 22, Knights Templar; serving as High Priest in 1980, Illustrious Master in 1982/83 and Commander in 1982/83, respectively. He was invited to join Empire State Priory and received the Knight York Cross of Honor in October 1983. He was a member of the Red Cross of Constantine.
John and Susan traveled throughout the country with Masonic and Shrine functions and enjoyed making new friends wherever they went. It was most appropriate that John went to God wearing his tuxedo, his Masonic apron, and his white hat with his 33rd ring.
John’s career and Masonic life were important and a source of pride, but nothing was more important than his family. John was actively involved in all of his children’s activities. He was on the Board of Directors for Cinderella Softball and Midget Football. John was active in the International Order of Rainbow for Girls serving as Dad Advisor for Purity Assembly, District Deputy for the Steuben-Tompkins District and a member of the State Executive Committee. He received the Grand Cross of Color for his contributions to Rainbow. He was a member of the Bath Chapter No 529, OES.
John was an ordained Elder for the First Presbyterian Church of Wellsboro, PA, and served several years on the Ruling Session as Clerk of Session.
A family service will conducted at Woodlawn Cemetery in Fairmont, WV, on April 29, 2018, under the direction of his son-in-law, Barry Gray. A Masonic Grave Side Service will be conducted by the Fairmont Lodge #9 followed by comments from the family. Music will be provided by Curt Hansen and Barry Gray and a special song about Shrine Children written by a Shriner friend, David Freund will be played.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in John Orr’s name to: The Kalurah Temple Transportation Fund, 625 Dickson Street, Endicott, NY 13760 or The Springfield Shriners’ Hospital for Children: https://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/springfield. These donations will support the Shriners’ Hospitals for Children which provide specialized care for crippled and burned children. Ford Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
