Donald Orr

Donald Eugene Orr GONE FISHIN''... He took off on a Sunday fishing trip that never has to end. Donald Eugene Orr decided to settle down at a quiet fishing hole in the sky at 9:15 Sunday evening, July 17, 2011. In his last moments, Don''s family said happy trails as they sat together in his long-time home in the foothills of the Bitteroot Mountains in Hamilton, Montana. He will be forever missed by his brother, Herb; three children, Carol, Debb, and Rick; six grandchildren, a great grandchild, and numerous friends and extended family. His faithful four-legged companion, Joey, passed away following his death. Don was born on July 24, 1936, in Wamego, Kansas, to Eleanor Kathryn and Cecil Orr. It was the hottest day in Kansas'' history - 127 degrees. In 1955 he graduated high school in Iola, Kansas, and went on to serve our country''s Navy from 1956-1959 as a Mineman Seaman. He was married on Easter Sunday, April 1, 1956, and welcomed three children into the world. The family moved to Albany, Oregon, and spent the years traveling, camping, hiking, fishing, picnicking, and making home movies. He was very proud to be the first father who held the title of Girl Scout Brownie Leader. After moving to Hamilton, Montana, in 1970, Don worked as an Animal Caretaker at the Rocky Mountain Laboratory. He volunteered for Search and Rescue, taught CPR and First Aid, proudly displayed his Good Sam Club sticker, served as a member of the Montana Peace Officers Association, and was dubbed an Honorary Ranger for the US Forest Service. He spent his retirement woodworking, camp hosting, playing croquette, and ice cream-making with his grandkids. He was proud of his Eastern Cherokee heritage and his membership in the Methodist Church. Don loved family, coffee, his land, practical jokes, trains, sourdough, camping, the mountains, Christmas, and making chocolate chip cookies for anyone with a sweet tooth. He took every opportunity to tell a great story and never missed a chance to hear a new one. His friends and family will always remember Don''s gentle consideration, capturing spirit, and infectious laugh for generations to come. A celebration of his life with Military Honors was held in Hamilton, Montana on July 22, 2011, with a chocolate chip cookie reception following. A graveside Internment will be held at the Woodlawn Cemetery, Mound City, Kansas on October 13, 2012 at 1 pm. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Marcus Daly Hospice, Hamilton, Montana, or St. Labre Indian School. He''s now in a place where the eagles soar daily, the elk and deer mosey by in droves, and the fish are biting like never before... Don, Dad, Da, Grandpa, Potter, Papa, The Cookie Man: We love you. Memorial graveside services will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday October 13, 2012 at the Woodland Cemetery in Mound City, Kansas. Arrangements: Schneider Funeral Home and Crematory Mound City Chapel.

Service Information

Saturday, October 13th, 2012 2:00pm, Woodland Cemetery

Interment Details