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Name:: John Vinson Orr
Date of Death:: Feb 9, 2012
Location of Service:: Hot Springs Funeral Home - Hot Springs
Category:: Archived Obituaries

John Vinson Orr, born September 9, 1926, in Youngstown, Ohio, to Emeline and John Vinson Orr, Sr., passed away February 9th, 2012.

His great loves were his wife Pauline (Polly), hunting, and his pet dogs. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army during WWII where he served as a Radio Announcer in Saporo, Japan. After discharge from the Armed Forces he attended University of Georgia where he earned a BS in Forestry. His career included County Ranger, Taylor County, Butler, Georgia; U.S. Forest Service, Forester, Tellico Plains, Tennessee; Forester on a Flood Prevention Project in Holly Springs, Mississippi; Forester, Hudson Paper Company, Palatka, Florida; Assistant Ranger, USFS, Nolachuckie Ranger District, Cherokee National Forest, Greenville, Tennessee; Worked on Multiple Use Surveys (PL56 Projects) Ouachita National Forest, Hot Springs, Arkansas; Timber Staff, Ouachita National Forest; Forest Supervisor, Alabama National Forest; Forest Supervisor, South Carolina; Forest Supervisor, Ouachita National Forest, whereupon he ended his 34 year service with USDA-Forest Service.

He was a faithful member of Piney Grove United Methodist Church and loved his church family. He taught the Rainbow Sunday School Class for many years.

He was predeceased by his mother, father and brother Daniel Orr.

Survivors include his wife, Pauline; son, Johnny Orr; son, Tim Orr and wife Tammy; daughter, Rebecca Neely and husband John; stepson, Tommie Crain; grandchildren, John and Robert Orr, Travis and Tyler Orr, Ellen and David Neely; one great grandchild, Jonathan Orr; brother, Raymond Orr and wife Margaret and their daughter Debbie.

Many thanks to the St. Joseph Hospital nurses and doctors for the care given during his hospital stay, and grateful appreciation to Dr. John Bond.

The body will be cremated.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, February 14, 10:00 AM at Piney Grove United Methodist Church, 2963 Airport Road, Hot Springs, AR. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Piney Grove United Methodist Church.

Location Name

Location of Services:: Hot Springs Funeral Home
Street:: 1017 Central Avenue
ZIP:: 71901
City:: Hot Springs
State:: AR
Country:

Condolence Messages

#11 Raymond, Margaret, and Debbie Orr 2012-02-13 09:53 Polly, Johnny, Tim, Becky, and family, This has been a very difficult time. We have lost a husband, father, grandfather, big brother and wonderful uncle. So many knew him as John but I will always remember him as Uncle Bud. It breaks our hearts that we cannot be there to celebrate his life with you but please know how very much you are loved. Raymond, Margaret, and Debbie Quote

#12 Peter Trenchi 2012-02-13 13:04 Polly et al - I am sorry for your loss. I join the others above in adding my appreciation for starting my career under his supervision and the opportunities he created for me. My memory is that the team he built carried the Wonderful Ouachita for decades. Peter Trenchi Quote

#13 Dan Scott 2012-02-13 15:11 I began my Federal career in 1966 with the Forest Service in Hot Springs. John Orr was one of the finest examples of professionalism I ever came across in my 30 years of Federal/State service. I'm saddened to hear of your loss and have your family in my thoughts and prayers. God bless you all. Quote

#14 Jack N. Callahan 2012-02-14 04:35 Pauline..
So sorry to hear of John's passing…our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. He was a great person and I am proud to have known and worked with him.

Jack Quote

#15 Bob Joslin 2012-02-14 04:52 Our thoughts and prayers are with you. I have many, many memories thanks to John while I was in the Southern Region. A wonderful man who taught me a lot on our trips to and from Atlanta on Delta Airlines. We will sure miss him. Quote

#16 Marq Webb 2012-02-16 07:47 Dear Polly and family,
I have many fond memories of working for John on the Ouachita NF. He was truly one of the last great Forest Supervisors. And I am thankful I had the opportunity to work for him. May God Bless you all and know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. Quote

#17 Larry and DJ Fleming 2012-02-25 03:34 I have many great memories of John. He helped more than he ever realized. His professional knowledge and manner was an inspiration to all of us. I also remember many week-end trips on Lake Ouchita with John, Wayne Kelly, Bill Walker, and the rest of the Ouachita staff from the 80's. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Larry Quote

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