Sidney Orr

Sid Orr was born in Warrensburg, Missouri on December 23, 1946, and was the second of four children in a transient family in Missouri. He attended nine elementary schools and seven high schools.

In 1965, Sid received his draft card shortly after high school graduation. Because he had filled out a card at the barber shop inviting a Marine Corps recruiter to visit his home, he chose the opportunity to enlist in the Marine Corps. Although Sid lived in a very poor neighborhood, the Marine recruiter drove to his house and treated his family with honor and respect. Sid signed up that evening for four years, with a guarantee that he could work on jets. He enlisted and left for boot camp at MCRD San Diego, California, in late 1965. Sid attended aviation school at the Naval Air Training Command, Memphis, where he was trained in avionics. He worked on a variety of aircraft, including the A-4, F-8, F-4B, F-4J, T-28, and others at his duty station in Beaufort, SC, before being sent to Vietnam.

During Sid’s tour in Vietnam, 1969–1970, he served with the HMM-362 helicopter squadron, the “Ugly Angels”, out of Phu Bai. He served as a door gunner on both the UH-34D and, later during his tour, the CH-46s.

Sid returned from Vietnam in 1970, and following his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, joined the Georgia Air National Guard at Dobbins AFB in Marietta, GA, as an Avionics Technician, a job he enjoyed for thirty years. During his first year in Georgia, Sid finally met Carolyn Keesee, the young lady from Commerce, GA, with whom he had been corresponding as pen pals while in Vietnam. They married in 1971. Sid and Carolyn had no children of their own; however, they were vibrantly active in their church, where they made a tremendous impact on the children and young adults in the church’s youth groups.

Sid retired from the Georgia Air National Guard in December of 1999 after 34 years working on the jets he loved including the C-124, T-33, F-100, F-105G, F-4D, F-15, and finally the B-1 Bomber. He was 53.

Sid loved learning and had the opportunity go to school at night during his tenure at Dobbins, earning several college degrees, including a degree in history. At age 53, he began a new career teaching school. He started with a provisional certificate at The Alternative School in Cherokee County. At 55, he entered graduate school at the University of Georgia, earning his teaching certificate. Five years later, he earned his master’s degree in special education at North Georgia State. He retired from teaching in 2010, after eight years at Cherokee High School, teaching Special Education.

Sid loved music and began playing bluegrass and writing songs when he returned from Vietnam in 1970. Not knowing the meaning of the word “retirement”, Sid used his musical gifts to touch the forgotten warriors of Vietnam. He published three CDs of original songs, Vietnam: The Journey (2013), Vietnam: The Journey Continues (2016), and Vietnam: Memories Never Die (2020). He collaborated with Robin Daniel, Libby Wilson, and Ron Levine, writing songs to raise awareness of the immense struggles Vietnam veterans faced coming home, struggles that continue to this day.

In 2017, Sid founded The Tunnel Rats Band with members Joe Curry, Robin Daniel, Harold Hollingshed, Ron Levine, and Libby Wilson. They use their music to honor veterans and those returning from active duty. Equally important, the band raises awareness of the emotional issues veterans and those on active duty face when they return home.

Shortly after starting the band, Sid was diagnosed with aggressive stage 4 prostate cancer. While undergoing treatments starting in 2018, Sid continued to write songs, publish CDs, and perform over 20 gigs a year. Sid’s health began to decline more rapidly this summer, but he believed “Where there is a pulse, there is a purpose” and he didn’t waste one beat. Sid performed his last gig on July 11th this year, and he and Robin made their deep commitment to each other official in a small, intimate wedding ceremony at home on August 4th. Sid entered home hospice August 24th, and on September 22nd, Sid passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, and his little 13 year old puppy, Nutmeg, who never left his side The Tunnel Rats Band will keep Sid’s memory and mission alive, honoring veterans by entertaining audiences with a blend of bluegrass, folk, southern rock, blues, and country, along with their original songs.

Sid was predeceased by his father, James Harold Orr (1986), his mother Mary Cecile (Orr) Masters (2017), his older brother, Sam (2017), and his wife of 53 years, Carolyn Keesee Orr, (2024).

Sid is survived by his wife, Robin Ormsby Orr, his step-son Rick Ormsby (Andrea), his step-daughter Kimberly Daniel, his sister-in-law Marka Ormsby, his younger brother Patrick (Vickie Orr) of Pittsburg KS, and his younger sister Lilli (Elmer Elfrink) of Cape Girardeau, MO. Sid is also survived by his brother-in-law, Michael Keesee (Lounette) of Powder Springs, GA, his sister-in-law Christine Keesee Brooks of Commerce GA, and by many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Sid’s message that appears on all his CDs lives on: To all my brothers (and sisters) who served “in country”... I dedicate these songs. To the family and friends who can never quite reach us, I hope these songs help you understand. Our duty was difficult and costly, but we served. We simply say “Welcome

Home” to each other now, remembering that no one else cared to say it. We mostly came home as individuals and went on with our lives… some meaningful, and some tragic… but the bond between us now is unspeakable, undeniable, and unbreakable! Welcome home Warriors! There is hope, you are not alone! God Bless You!

-Sid Orr

There are just not enough words to describe Sid’s dedication to his military brothers and sisters, nor for the huge soft spot in his heart for his puppies and kitties and the wild birds he would feed. He had a tremendous love and appreciation for life, so in lieu of flowers, any donations supporting his passions are appreciated.

Georgia Vietnam Veterans Alliance, Chapter 1

An IRS 501(c)(19) organization. All contributions are tax deductible.

Donation Mailing Address: GVVA 1, P.O. Box 414, Kennesaw, GA 3015

Mostly Mutts Animal Rescue

Mostly Mutts’ core mission is to reduce the number of animals euthanized at county

shelters in the metro Atlanta area.

United Military Care (unitedmilitarycare.org)

At United Military Care, we are dedicated to providing our Veterans with the support they need to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.

Wild Nest Bird Rehab, Inc

Wild Nest Bird Rehab, Inc is a nonprofit organization dedicated to rehabilitating Georgia's injured and orphaned birds for release back to the wild.

Funeral Arrangements for October 8, 2025, are being handled by Woodstock Funeral Home, 8855 Main Street, Woodstock, GA, 30188: Visitation will be from 11:00am to 12:30pm, and a Memorial Service from 12:30pm to 1:30pm at the Woodstock Funeral Home. A Committal Service at the Georgia National

Cemetery - Canton, 1080 Scott Hudgens Drive, Canton GA will be held from 3:00pm to 3:30pm. Please visit the Woodstock Funeral Home website for detailed information services and times.

Family and friends are also invited to a reception at Mountain View Church, 2300 Jamerson

Road, Marietta, 30066, following the Committal Service at the cemetery.