Richard Edward Orr's Obituary
At the age of 90, Richard Edward Orr, “Rich” of Broken Arrow, OK passed peacefully to his eternal life on Tuesday, February 6, 2024 at his home surrounded by family. Rich was born on April 25, 1933 in Kansas City, Missouri and was the first of two children born to Edward B. and Gladys I. Orr of Topeka, Kansas.
He graduated from Topeka High School in 1951; then joined the Army, serving two years active duty during the Korean War. Returning home, he furthered his education, getting both his degrees from Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas.
He married Carol Dailey after graduation and began his working career at Meyer Blanke in Kansas City. Unto this union there were four children. The family moved to Wichita where his sales career progressed with Hilts.
He returned to single life while covering the western Kansas territory for Hilts. There he met Patricia Ingrum in Hays. They were married in June of 71. Opening a new branch office for Hilts, they moved to Enid, Oklahoma. In 1973 they moved to Tulsa where he started his own company, covering a four-state area for 25 years before selling his business upon retirement. They had one son.
Retirement for Rich involved volunteer services at the Oklahoma Aquarium, the Red Cross, the Broken Arrow Police Department, Grace Hospice, and the Broken Arrow Senior Center. He was a member of the Broken Arrow Noon Lions Club and fostered a leader dog for the blind for the Lions Club. Though different, he enjoyed the people and activities at each place.
Rich was preceded in death by sister Carol A. Lewis of Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas, his father Edward B. Orr, and mother Gladys I. Orr of Eskridge Kansas.
He is survived by wife Patricia of the home; four sons, Scott and wife Shirley Orr of Wichita, Mark and wife Julie Orr of Wichita, Craig and wife Keri Orr of Broken Arrow, and Eric and wife Michelle Orr of Kansas City, along with one daughter Sharon and husband Terry Livingston of Wichita, as well as five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
He was an honest man with great determination and compassion. He counted his blessings for a loving family and a contented life. He enjoyed people and never knew a stranger.
We will honor Rich with a celebration of his life on Friday, March 8, 2024, at 12:30pm in the Floral Haven Funeral Home Chapel, in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Red Cross Tulsa Chapter, the Folds of Honor, or the Broken Arrow Senior Center.
What’s your fondest memory of Richard?
What’s a lesson you learned from Richard?
Share a story where Richard's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Richard you’ll never forget.
How did Richard make you smile?