Arthur Clarence Orr

January 25, 1922 – November 21, 2011

Arthur Orr, known to most as “Art”, lived a full, interesting and generous 89 years of life. He passed away peacefully with his family by his side at his home in Long Beach on November 21, 2011.

Born in Santa Paula, California, Arthur remembered moving often due to his father’s work as a pipefitter. They eventually settled in Long Beach, where he graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School. He attended Long Beach City College and transferred to UC Berkeley where he majored in mechanical engineering.

In 1943 he joined the Army and furthered his engineering training at Texas Tech University. Before leaving on deployment, he married his first wife, Lillian Claire (Livingston) Orr. His last army assignment was aboard the U.S. Marines Repair Ship, the “Connors”, which was deployed for duty in the Philippines and Japan. One of his most vivid memories involved surviving a typhoon that sunk many other vessels.

After his army duty, he rejoined his wife and first son, Donald, and completed a degree in engineering at University of Southern California. They lived in Long Beach where they had two more children, Sharil and David Orr. Arthur was hired as an engineer for Proctor and Gamble, where he worked until his retirement. He became the Project Manager on soap and shortening products. The family attended Los Altos Methodist Church, where Art began his lifelong tradition of singing bass in the choir. Claire was tragically killed in a car accident in 1957.

In 1959 Arthur married his second wife, Vernes Claire (Rodman, Bryant) Orr and moved into her childhood home in Belmont Heights. He adopted her children, Richard and Joey. A fond memory for Vernes and Art’s children was their joy when wedding plans were announced on a camping trip in Miracle Hot Springs on the Kern River. The blended family enjoyed many subsequent vacations there and also Yosemite and Crestline.

Arthur maintained lifelong friendships beginning with a church group at Grace Methodist church that has met regularly since 1953. He served in many capacities for Belmont Heights United Methodist Church and frequently was asked to provide “the voice of God” for special church productions. He volunteered for many programs, including Meals on Wheels and helped seniors prepare tax returns as recently as last year.

His passion for traveling included visiting 26 countries and much of the United States, which he documented with beautiful photography. He and Vernes shared a European vacation in 1980 with his son, Richard and his wife, Karen, who were teaching in Germany at that time. They also visited his daughter, Joey, in Hawaii and daughter, Sharil, in Washington.

After 38 years of a loving marriage, Vernes passed away in 1979. Arthur continued to travel with many different groups, including the Proctor & Gamble Retirement Group and the Long Beach City College’s travel group. He also participated in many Elder Hostel programs by himself. He especially enjoyed a cruise along the Danube River and slept outside on a small ferry from Bellingham, WA to Ketchikan, AK. On a trip to Thailand, he rode on elephants with his special friend, Martha Mac Lagan.

Arthur’s family and friends counted on receiving his “weekly letter”, an e-mail accounting of his activities and thoughts that were sent out every Sunday for many years. He was an avid reader, recently finishing many of the world’s classics. He loved the game of golf and played with friends and family on many courses throughout his life. He continued to play “Little Rec” until just recently and really enjoyed working out with his personal trainer, Casey Soto.

Arthur is survived by his brother, Ralph Orr, sister, Mary Hegre, children: Joey Nickertz, Richard Orr (Karen), Sharil Follman (Jay), David Orr (Nancy), grandchildren: Erika Moore (Joey), Kerri Orr, Jeff Orr, Justin Orr, Jack Follman and one great granddaughter, Lilah Moore.

His family takes comfort in knowing that Arthur’s love and compassion will live with his family forever.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Belmont Heights Methodist Church or a charity of your choice. Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 1, 2011 from 5-8 p.m. at Westminster Memorial Park. Celebration of life memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 2 p.m. at Belmont Heights Methodist Church, Long Beach, CA.

Arrangements under the direction of Westminster Memorial Park Mortuary ~FD1030, Westminster, CA.