Orvilee Douglas Corlee

On February 14, 2024, Orvilee Douglas Corlee passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side. He was born October 11, 1935 in El Reno, OK, to Georgia and Earnie Corlee. Orvilee was raised in El Reno, OK and graduated high school there in 1954.

After serving in the Air Force and attending college, he met the love of his life, Barbara McGee. The two were married March 8, 1959. They spent several years in El Reno and then made their home in Norman, OK, where they were members of Bethel Baptist Church. The couple raised their two daughters, Sherry and Holly, and then helped out with grandchildren during their forty years in Norman. Orvilee retired from Ford Motor Company’s Computer Automation Division as a Market Manager after a 30 year career with the company. Following retirement, Orvilee and Barbara moved to Hot Springs Village in 2014.

Orvilee was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He and Barbara spent 65 wonderful years together. They enjoyed traveling, playing cards with friends, hosting gatherings at their home, and spending time with family. As a father, he could always be counted on for coaching, volunteerings, helping, comforting, and showing up for every event or crisis in his daughters’ lives. As “Pawpaw”, he spent countless hours hanging out with grandchildren, playing games, carpooling, supporting and attending their numerous sporting activities. He was always there loving, teaching, and encouraging them.

In his spare time, Orvilee loved to play golf, go fishing, play cards, read, and watch college football and old westerns. He made friends easily and always stayed in touch. As an only child, he built a large extended family of in-laws, friends, and co-workers that he gathered along the way throughout his life. From a group of childhood friends who all got together for an annual fishing trip as many years as health allowed, to decades long card groups, long term golfing buddies, and then more recent friends in Hot Springs Village. Orvilee will be remembered as fun, competitive, kind, supportive, and a quintessential southern gentleman.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Earnie and Georgia Corlee. Orvilee leaves behind his wife, Barbara Corlee; daughter, Holly Kyle; daughter, Sherry and husband, Tom Sacchieri; grandsons, Scott Kyle and Chance Kyle; granddaughter, Katie and husband, Brian

Gibbons; and great-grandson, Greyson Gibbons; along with nieces, nephews, in-laws, and many friends who love him dearly.