Gary Gordon Orr

Gary Gordon Orr was born in Craig, Missouri, on August 23, 1938. He passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 16, 2023, at Kaweah Health Center in Visalia, California, with beloved family members at his bedside. Gary was the youngest child of Clifford and Fern Orr. At the age of three, he relocated with his family to California where they worked in the shipyards at San Pablo during World War II. After the war, the family moved to the Visalia area where he attended Yettem and Chatham Elementary Schools, and then graduated from Mt. Whitney High School in 1956. After high school he served with the Air Force Strategic Air Command in Louisiana and Texas. During his time with the service he married his high school sweetheart Jeanne Bitney. Gary later continued his education at Northrup Institute of Technology in Los Angeles, graduating first in his class as a Licensed Aircraft Mechanic. He followed this with employment at Hughes Aircraft in Culver City, California. He and his wife later established a home in Myrtle Creek, Oregon, where Gary was employed by Roseburg Lumber Company as a millwright. Gary and Jeanne returned to Visalia to be near family and to have their three children attend their hometown schools. During this time, Gary was employed by Marlin Mechanical and HTL Fire Protection as a welder and draftsman. As the children grew up he instilled his love of going on an adventure, of history and of the outdoors to them during many Saturday drives to the mountains to marvel at the Giant Sequoias; or by visiting numerous historical places/sites on family vacations around California and while traveling back to visit family friends in Oregon. All roads eventually lead to some place you know, but let's see what's between here and there. Gary was always willing to lend a hand to help you fix it, find it, move it or experience it. A voracious reader, he constantly had a book nearby, whether a good mystery or Stephen Hawking just for fun. He was a highly intelligent man who loved to think and learn. He enjoyed sharing his knowledge on various subjects; and encouraged his children, their friends, his nieces and nephews, and many great-nieces and nephews as well, to be prepared curious critical thinkers. He loved a good roller coaster. He would often be found listening to or watching SF Giants baseball games-Humm Baby. He instilled in his children a love of board games and enjoying time with loved ones both friends and family; whether playing card games-poker with buddies or golf (the card game) with family at Christmas (and of course telling you how you should be playing your cards). Gary was always listening to good music of many genres-bluegrass, classic rock, blues, world-Irish, Mexican, African, and more. It was not unusual for him to say come listen to this or for him to grab his bride and dance her around the kitchen to a Bob Seger song (he was a smooth dancer). He could even play some Boogie Woogie on the piano. After his retirement in 2005, Gary liked spending time hunting for a bargain. His weekly exercise was visiting flea markets and thrift stores to find additions to his various collections---and to visit with his fellow bargain hunters and early morning donut buddies. He also enjoyed weekly luncheons with his wife's siblings, and other family members, sharing jokes and stories, and lots of laughs. He was loved by immediate and extended family members alike and was most proud of his children. Gary was preceded in death by his parents and seven siblings. He is survived by Jeanne, his wife of 64 years, his daughter Angela Orr, son William Orr (Regena) of Paso Robles, son Dr. Charles Orr (Stephanie) of Winona, Minnesota, and his granddaughter Alexandria Aguilar (Martin) and two great-grandchildren, plus numerous nieces and nephews. During this past year, Gary was slowed down by worsening congestive heart failure. After taking a fall five days before his death, his condition was further aggravated and his heart succumbed to the added stress. The family extends their gratitude and appreciation to the Kaweah Health trauma team, ICU staff and doctors for their care and compassion during this time. Gary had taught his children about God at a young age and leaned on Him when he started having heart issues at age 46. He would often say, in the last year or so, that he had been living on borrowed time for a while now. We wish he could have borrowed even more as he will be missed by all who knew him, but especially his family. A memorial service will be held at Visalia District Cemetery Pavilion on Friday, May 24, 2024 at 12:00 PM. Donations may be made to the American Heart Association or charity of choice. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Gary Gordon Orr

August 23, 1938 - November 16, 2023