Orvis Fugate

Orvis Gene Fugate passed away July 25, 2012, after a valiant battle with cancer. He was born Feb 7, 1937 in Tulsa, OK. In his early adolescence, he was adopted by Elmer and Thelma Fugate. He then lived with his parents on a small farm and spent many weekends on the Osage Indian Reservation near Pawhuska. He attended Daniel Webster High School in Tulsa Oklahoma and in 1955 joined the US Navy serving aboard the carrier USS Essex where he worked as an airplane mechanic.

After returning to civilian life in 1959, Orvis came to Yuma and joined his parents in their family auction business. It was at one of these auctions where he met the love of his life, Linda. They were married in 1961 and together they raised their children, Jon, Lisa and Kreg.

Orvis worked for Arizona Water Company and the City of Yuma Water division for 36 years. He was awarded a lifetime membership with the American Water Works Association. Additionally, Orvis and Linda owned and operated Fugate Enterprises, a plumbing and electrical hardware store in the Yuma Valley until 1986. Orvis was a 25-year volunteer 4-H leader, Yuma High FFA honorary supporting member, Jr. Livestock Committee Member where he served two terms as President and other multiple offices. Orvis also was the President of the Yuma County Fair Board 1993 and 1994 and enjoyed working on the fair commission numerous years for twelve years.

When Orvis retired from the City in May of 1998, he and Linda knew they wanted to move to enjoy Northern Arizona and the beautiful four season weather full-time. Orvis loved the bright blue cloud-filled skies, pine covered mountains and yes, even the winter snows and all the work it entailed! Orvis spent many a summer day playing golf and volunteering as a ranger at Elephant Rocks Golf Course. He enjoyed working and visiting with his friends at Fred Cothren’s service station on Route 66 and helping Linda at Ray DeBerge’s Western Store in historic downtown Williams. He truly loved the life they created in their new home.

It was an agonizing choice for Orvis, but after 13 years of living in their mountain paradise, he knew he must make another move to get Linda off the mountain and back down to Yuma to be closer to the children and for his own medical treatment to address the cancer. In October of 2011, Orvis and Linda moved back to Yuma.

Orvis is survived by his wife of 51 years, Linda

His children: Jon (Martha) Fugate, Lisa Lomax, Kreg (Tracy) Fugate, Julie (Halle) Wilson; Grandchildren: Andrea (Herman) Fazz, Lacey Fugate, Lexi Lomax, Brooke Fugate, Heather (Ryan) Cook, Ashley Edwards and Halee Wilson; Great-grandchildren: Aedan Fazz, Taylor Cook, Kara Cook and Chloe Cook. Orvis leaves behind many much-loved family members and special friends living in Arizona, California, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Montana. And not to be forgotten, is a “special little caregiver,” Dulce, his devoted Jack Russell Terrier.

Orvis was predeceased by his parents (Elmer and Thelma Fugate), step-brother (Tom Fugate) and son-in-law, (Dan Lomax).

The family wishes to acknowledge the extraordinary care of Dr. Edelbert Evangelista, Dr. Tim Galang and staff at the Yuma Regional Cancer Center, Nurse Patty Zepeda, and the care team of Hospice of Yuma. And as well, the kindnesses of our in home health care helpers Maria Garcia and Christina Yost.

Pallbearers: Jonny Fugate, Kreg Fugate, Herman Fazz, Doug Pemberton, Tommy Ray and Ed Carpenter. Honorary Yuma Pallbearers: Tom & Joan Wilson, Larry & Tana Honeycutt, Jan Cutler Sullivan, Bob & Carol (Schmidgall) Golden, Larry Brummell, Bobby Larson, David Franklin, Larry Sherman, Chuy Gomez, Billy Holmes, Don Harden, Jack McCharen and James Byram. Honorary Williams, AZ Pallbearers: Fred & Janet Cothren, Craig & Cindy Christman, Joe & Edie DeSoto, Ray & Mary DeBerge, Greg & Chun Ribas, George & Karen Vodopitch, Phil & Ruth Sanzari, Debbie Zecchin, Eric Eikenberry, Hank & Jackie Baer, Mary Louise Jacobs, Jeff Pruitt, Nancy Fetter, Sherwin MacArthur and Jim Winbourn.

Visitation will be Monday July 30th from 4 pm to 8 pm at Johnson’s Mortuary Chapel. Funeral Services will be at 10:00 am at Johnson Mortuary located at 1415 S. 1st Avenue in Yuma, Arizona.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests honoring Orvis’ memory by donating to Hospice of Yuma, 1824 S. 8th Avenue, Yuma, AZ. 85364.