Andrew Willer Orkin

Houston

Andrew Willer Orkin, born December 4, 1919 passed away December 24, 2012 at the age of 93. Born in Jackson, Mississippi to Freda Willer Orkin and Adolph Joseph Orkin. Adolph Orkin had immigrated to the United States through Ellis Island in 1906 from Riga, Latvia, and sold costume jewelry in Galveston, Tx. prior to meeting his bride in Louisiana.. They married and settled in Jackson. Andrew (Drew) was predeceased by all of his siblings, David H. (D.H.), Stanley, Elizabeth Taffet, Adolph, Jr., and an infant who died at birth. He was also predeceased by a son, Gary Henry Orkin in 1994. Drew was an Eagle Scout at Troop 18, graduated from Central High School in Jackson, attended LSU, was a member of Zeta Beta Tau fraternity, and graduated from Ole Miss in 1941 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry degree. He enlisted in the US Navy, was sent to the California Institute of Technology to study Meteorology under Admiral Krick, and was a meteorologist aboard the USS Teton. He was involved in the weather forecasting for the US invasion of Okinawa. After WWII, he worked for Pan American Airways in Panama. He later started Orkin Amusements, Inc. with his younger brother Ad. Together they operated The Alamo and Capri movie theaters and developed the 32 lane Bowl-A-Rama and Patio Place apartments. In the late 1990s, because of its importance to the African American community, the State of Mississippi made The Alamo Theater a Registered National Historic Landmark While The Alamo served as a regular movie theater, it also hosted such talented musical starts as Dorothy Moore, Nat King Cole and Chubby Checker. Drew married Lois Greenberg and they had three sons, Gary, Alan, and Bob. He moved to Houston in 1977 from Jackson. At the age of 62, Drew enrolled and completed the Master of Science in Real Estate degree at SMU. He worked for Coldwell Banker and Landauer and Associates. He was a longtime member of the Kiwanis Club of Houston, Congregation Beth Israel (Houston), and Temple Beth Israel (Jackson). He served as Chairman of the Building and Site Selection Committee for the Henry S. Jacob Camp in Utica, MS. He was also involved with the parent's organization for the Mississippi Home for Retarded Children in Ellisville, MS. In 1986, Drew married Shirley Block Jacob Zeff who survives him. He is survived by sons Dr. Alan Orkin, Bob and Debra Orkin and grandson, Jared Orkin, all of Houston. He is the last survivor of his generation and is survived by multiple generations of Orkins from New York City to Los Angeles for whom he had a tremendous fondness. Interment will be graveside services at Beth Israel Cemetery, Jackson, MS, Friday, Dec. 28, 2012 at 1PM. A memorial services will be held at the Margolis Chapel at Congregation Beth Israel, Houston, TX on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013 at 12:30pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Weather Research Center (713-529-3076), Kiwanis Foundation of Houston (832-649-4674), TX, Henry S. Jacobs Camp (601-885-6042) or the charity of your choice