Orville proudly served in the United States Navy serving in WWII and the Korean War; retiring after 21 years. He then went to work for Trane Company in Clarksville, Tennessee from which he also retired.
Orville took pride in providing for his family; spending time with family and taking them on his travels. He was a jokester and enjoyed a good laugh, often teasing his children and grandchildren.
Some of his greatest joys were planning trips and traveling in his camper with his beloved wife. He would spend hours at the kitchen table reading maps and planning out the routes for their trips. He most enjoyed traveling to the mountains and National Parks, walking the trails, and spotting wildlife.
He enjoyed being outdoors and taking daily walks with his dogs when he was physically able. While living in Clarksville he enjoyed raising a large garden and working in his yard.
Those left behind to cherish his memory are his daughter, Carolyn Brawner and husband, David of DeQuincy; daughter, Cheryl Kuiken of North Carolina; grandchildren, James Brawner and wife, Jackie, Sarah Nolen and husband, Justin, Laura McNeill and husband, Charlie, Jeremy Wooster and wife, Jenny, and Michael Wooster and wife, Kimberly; 5 great-grandchildren; and a niece, Susan Beacht and step-daughter Janet Higginbotham and husband, Steve.
He was welcomed into Heaven by his loving wife of 47 years, Rachel Phillips Kuiken, parents, a brother, Willard Kuiken, and a sister, Elizabeth Roundtree.
The family would like to express thanks to the staff of Southwest Louisiana War Veterans Home who took such good care of him and became a second family to him in the last few years of his life. Also thanks to Lamm Hospice and Crystal, RN, who cared for him in the last few weeks of his life.
Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 10th in Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home.
Funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 10th in Hixson-Sulphur Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. Pastor Charlie McNeill will officiate. Following, he will be laid to rest beside his wife in Highland Memory Gardens in Lake Charles.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hixsonsulphurmemorial.com for the Kuiken family.
