Orville Ernest Mapes Jr.

Born to Orville and Goldie Mapes on September 2, 1943, in Hastings, Nebraska, Orvie moved out west with his family to Southern California at age 2. The Cornhusker State remained in their hearts, and he spent many summers back in Nebraska with his grandparents on their farm.

Orvie was a self-made man who could literally build and fix nearly anything. From an early age, he entered the auto body and repair business and learned the trade from his father, working in their shared shop called “Mammoth Motors.”

A lifelong Christian, when it was time to find a wife, Orvie and his friends wisely decided the best place to find a good one was church. While visiting different youth groups, Orvie met and eventually married Cathy Langan (Mapes) on March 9, 1968. They were married for 58 years.

In 1971, Orvie and Cathy moved to Northern California with Cathy’s parents, where, for five years, they built and operated the Airporter Inn and Restaurant in Trinity Center, CA.

After relocating to Redding, Orvie continued his entrepreneurial ways, successfully owning and operating several businesses, including the Whirlwind Auto Wash, auto body shops, and construction companies.

Orvie and Cathy relocated for a time to Twin Falls, ID, for approximately seven years, where Orvie helped his cousins build two churches. They later returned to Redding to be near all their children and grandchildren.

Orvie was a true believer in the Lord and is reunited in Heaven with his mother and father, his daughter Tami Mapes (Brown), and many other loved ones. He is survived by his wife, Cathy; sons Tim and Cameron; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren, with whom he loved spending time.

Orvie will forever be remembered for his tireless work ethic and his fondness for all things motorized, whether jet boats, larger boats, or nice cars (good luck finding a classic he didn’t own at one point in his life).

Orvie did more for his family than anyone could ever repay, consistently showing up to lend a hand in any way that was needed. That dedication to helping others and his deep belief in God will live on.

A memorial service will be held on May 15, 2026, at 11 a.m. at McDonald’s Chapel, 1275 Continental Street, Redding, CA.