James Johnson Orr

In Loving Memory of Our Father, James Johnson (Jim) Orr.

James Johnson Orr passed away peacefully at his home at Camp San Saba, Texas on March 9, 2009. Jim was born on May 17, 1920 in Craton, Louisiana to parents John Red (Jack) Orr and Irene Orr Howell. Jim was predeceased by his parents, his daughter, Sandra Holifield; his son James J. Orr Jr.; grandson, James Jeffrey Holifield; brother, C.C. Orr; sister, Helen Orr Thompson; and nephew, Tommy Thompson. He is survived by wife, Mary Orr of Camp San Saba; daughter, Jacqueline (Jackie) Newcom of Friendswood, Texas; son, John William Orr and daughter-in-law, Mary Louise (Putt) Orr of El Campo, Texas; daughter Amy Buchanan of Midland, Texas; son-in-law, Steve Holifield of Midland, Texas; daughter-in-law, Linda Orr of Lafayette, Louisiana; and niece Sunny Albrecht and husband Joel of Georgetown, Texas. Jim is also survived by eight grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

Jim's career with Phillips Petroleum began in the 1940s in Smackover, Arkansas and spanned over 40 years. In the early 1950s, Jim accepted a transfer and he and wife, Valree Smith Orr, and their five children moved to Notrees, Texas and several years later settled in Odessa, Texas. Jim worked throughout the Permian Basin for Phillips until the late 1960s. Jim then transferred to the United Arab Emirates where he and wife, Mary, lived for several years in Abu Dhabi. They relocated from Abu Dhabi to Stavanger, Norway where Jim worked on the Ekofisk Platform in the North Sea until the time of his retirement in the early 1980s.

After Jim retired from Phillips Petroleum, he and Mary bought a country home in Camp San Saba. Jim loved his home, visiting with friends and family, gardening, and sitting at the kitchen table in the early morning having his coffee while watching his Red Brangus cattle and deer graze.

Jim served his country with honor, courage and commitment as a member of the United States Marine Corp. in the South Pacific during World War II. At the time of his discharge, he had obtained the rank of Corporal.

Jim achieved a life-long dream of becoming a pilot in the early 1960s. He enjoyed many hours of flying family and friends to various destinations in the southern United States and Mexico in his Cessna 172.

Jim served for many years on the Board of Directors for the Permian Basin Oil Show and was also a charter member of the Odessa Chuck Wagon Gang.

Funeral services were held on March 12, 2009 at Leatherwood Funeral Home in Brady, Texas. Burial followed at Camp San Saba Cemetery where the United States Marine Corp. honored him one last time.

We love and miss you, Dad, but find comfort in knowing that you are in a much better place free from pain. Love you -- Jackie, John & Amy.