The Rev. Robert L. Orr, 82, a longtime resident of Cleveland, passed away peacefully at his home Tuesday, March 15, 2011, surrounded by his loving family. He was born Jan. 5, 1929, in Brevard, N.C.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force where he served in Germany and Japan as a chaplain and staff sergeant.
He was a lifetime educator serving as an elementary school teacher and coach at Waterville and Charleston Elementary Schools for 11 years, in addition to 15 years in two Georgia schools. He was also a school principal in Ballground, Ga., Greenfield, Ind., and Stafford, Va.
As a licensed Church of God minister, he served as a pastor for more than 15 years in Andrews, N.C., Tusquitee, N.C. and Cleveland. He was a faithful and devoted member of the North Cleveland Church of God where he served as an elder.
As a Cleveland resident, he was a graduate of Lee College, coaching numerous elementary age basketball and softball teams as well as the women’s church softball team. He served as youth program director and staff member at the Cleveland Community Center for several years where he touched the lives of many children.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Jennie Mae Ducker Orr; five brothers: Charles, Earnest, Paul, Brance and William Orr; three sisters: Vera Holden, Margaret Grayson and Marie Britt; and one foster son, Donnie Price.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, JoRetta Ridenhour Orr of Cleveland; daughters: Linda Roark and husband, Donald, Kathy Eaton, Andrea Hudson and husband, Kevin, Zandra Whaley and Yvonne Johnson, all of Cleveland; brother, Bernard Orr of Jacksonville, Fla.; eight grandchildren: Joshua White, Cassie Mingie, Trevor Jones, Carmen Falke, Bree Whaley, Michael Westfield Jr., Darien Johnson and Ciara Johnson; seven great-grandchildren; foster grandchildren: Brian, Donnie, Tyler, Nikki and April Price; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be held at 3 p.m. today, March 18, 2011, at North Cleveland Church of God Dixon Chapel with the Revs. Gary Sears, Cy Harris and dear friend, John Ray officiating.
Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens with military honors.
Grandsons and Gunnery Sergeant Justin Mingie will serve as pallbearers.
The service will conclude with a white dove release ceremony.
Ralph Buckner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made in his honor to the Ministry to the Military at the Church of God International Offices, 2490 Keith St. P.O. Box 2430 Cleveland, TN 37320-2430.
You may send a message of condolence and view the Orr family guest book at www.ralphbuckner.com.
