Carl E. Orr

Carl E. Orr, 96, passed away Friday evening December 23, 2011, at his home in Bryan. Visitation is scheduled for 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday December 26, 2011 at Memorial Funeral Chapel in Bryan. Funeral Services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday December 27th at First United Methodist Church in Bryan with Dr. Morris House and Rev. Rick Sitton officiating. Interment will follow at Bryan City Cemetery.

Carl Orr was born June 14, 1915 in Brazos County to Bessie Wallace and James Ollie Orr. He grew up in the Edge Community in north Brazos County, where he received his public school education. In 1933, he entered Sam Houston State Teachers College in Huntsville, Texas, where he received a BS degree with a major in Mathematics. He taught school in Brazos County for 7 1/2 years, but in December 1942, he resigned from his position as principal of Kurten School and volunteered for military service during World War II.

Carl completed Air Corps Communication Training at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, where he received his Commission as a Second Lieutenant. Next, he was assigned to Air Corps Radar Training at Boca Raton, Florida where he remained until his assignment with the 8th Air Force in England, reaching the rank of Captain. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal June 1945 and was discharged from service in February 1946.

In February 1946, Carl entered Texas A&M receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree and a Master of Education degree followed by employment as a science and math teacher at Bryan High School for four years, Principal of Travis Elementary School for ten years, and Principal of Lamar Junior High School for eighteen years. Retiring in 1979 with a total of thirty-nine and one-half years in education and three and one-half years in military service, Carl had a total forty-three years in public service.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Bryan and the Men’s Bible Class. He served as Chairman of the Official Board of his Church for one year, President of the Men’s Bible Class for one year, Chairman of the Finance Committee for one year, and served a three year term on the Board of Trustees.

Carl and his wife Lena were married on August 28, 1939. They enjoyed doing things together, whether it was traveling, fishing, working in the yard, or just sitting in their easy chairs reading. For many years they owned a second home at Camp Creek Lake in Robertson County. They loved working in their garden and relaxing with nature.

He is preceded in death by his parents, a brother and sister-in-law, Walden and Adele Syptak Orr.

Carl is survived by his loving wife of 73 years, Lena Gilbert Orr of Bryan; a brother James D. Orr of Bryan; and two nieces and one nephew.

Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church in Bryan or to Hospice Brazos Valley.