Eston Wycliffe “Wyc” Orr Sr.

Eston Wycliffe "Wyc" Orr Sr., 67, died Wednesday, May 28, 2014, in Atlanta, Ga. Wyc was born in Tifton, Ga., the son of Emogene Gaskins Orr and John Hughes Orr Sr. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Lyn Harden Orr; his daughter and son-in-law, Kristine Orr Brown and David Kyle Brown of Atlanta; his son and daughter-in-law, Eston Wycliffe Orr Jr. and Amanda Bauer Orr of Atlanta; three granddaughters, Jacqueline Elizabeth Brown, Caroline Lilly Brown and Anne Marie Orr; one grandson, William Eston Wycliffe Orr; his brothers, Robert Daniel Orr and John Hughes Orr Jr.; his sister-in-law, Mary Booker Wall; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Oren H. (Buddy) Harden Jr. and Linda Harden; and many loved nieces, nephews and their families. Wyc cherished his family, was a bedrock on whom his loved ones could always count, and enjoyed being a grandfather as much anything on earth.
Wyc was raised in Tifton, Ga., where he graduated from Tift County High School, 1964, was an outstanding baseball and basketball player and delivered the high school valedictory address. Wyc went on to earn a B.S., with high honors, from Auburn University, graduating first in his business school class, Phi Kappa Phi and as Distinguished Military Graduate. In addition, Wyc earned a J.D. from the University Of Tennessee College Of Law where he graduated first in class, Order of the Coif and was a law review editor.
Wyc had a long and distinguished legal career. Wyc practiced law for 43 years, including service as a captain in the United States Army Judge Advocate General's Corps, West Germany, followed by 40 years of private practice, 19 of which were with his daughter, Kristine Orr Brown. As a legal advocate, Wyc focused intensely on providing and ensuring representation for the poor, injured, those treated unjustly, and individuals less fortunate than himself, with an unwavering belief that one must "fight injustice wherever you find it." Wyc's work on behalf of indigent defense manifested itself most acutely in his spearheading the creation of the Georgia Public Defenders Standards Council for which Wyc served as a charter board member from 2003 to 2011. Wyc's work on behalf of indigent defense culminated with his 2014 receipt of the Southern Center for Human Rights' lifetime achievement award. Among Wyc's numerous legal accomplishments and accolades are his service on the State Bar of Georgia Board of Governors, founding and presiding over the Chattahoochee American Inn of Court (subsequently renamed the E. Wycliffe Orr Sr. Inn of Court), and receipt of multiple awards for distinguished legal professionalism and ethics. In addition to his legal career, Wyc served as a member of the Georgia House of Representatives from 1989 to 1993, was vice chair of Common Cause Georgia, served on the University of Tennessee College of Law Alumni Advisory Council, and was a past member of the Auburn Alumni Association Board of Directors.
Wyc was a 40-year member of Gainesville First United Methodist Church where he previously chaired the administrative board and taught youth Sunday school. Wyc's family is forever grateful for the exceptional medical care he received at Emory University Hospital under the care of Dr. David Kooby and the Rollins Pavilion staff.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, David Kooby Research Fund, 1762 Clifton Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30322; Meals on Wheels, Community Council on Aging, 430 Prior St. SE, Gainesville, GA 30501; or First United Methodist Church Children and Youth First Fund, 2780 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville, GA 30506.
A celebration of Wyc's life will be held Monday, June 2, 4 p.m., at Gainesville First United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends at a reception following the service. A private burial will follow at Fletcher Cemetery, Alapaha, Ga.
Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com.
Little & Davenport Funeral Home, 355 Dawsonville Highway SW, Gainesville, GA 30501, is in charge of the arrangements.