Richard K. Orr

Richard K Orr, 82, of Orem, Utah, passed away on November 17, 2025 after a fall caused a hemorrhage in his brain. Born October 27, 1943, in St. Anthony, Idaho, Richard lived a life defined by faith, service, hard work, and unwavering devotion to his family.
Richard spent his childhood on a farm. He met the love of his life, Diane, while she was attending college in Rexburg, Idaho. Their partnership became the steady center of his life, and he was fiercely protective of her-always insisting she be treated with respect.
Together they built a family founded on loyalty, service, love, and hard work.
Richard proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Saratoga (CVA-60). He spoke of the honor he felt standing at attention during the funeral procession of President John F. Kennedy. A defining moment of his naval service came when an afterburner explosion caused 100% nerve damage in one ear, which eventually led to him being clinically deaf.
After graduating from LDS Business College with an associate's degree, Richard embarked on a diverse career. His work included serving as office manager at the Salt Lake Clinic, travel director for the LDS Missionary Training Center, and many years with the U.S. Postal Service. His remarkable memory especially for numbers-made him a natural at his postal work, and he was known for memorizing countless ZIP codes with ease.
A man of deep faith, Richard was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Throughout his life he served in numerous callings, including branch president, gospel doctrine instructor, organist, high priest group leader, and member of several bishoprics.
Richard had a strong tenor voice and a lifelong love of music. Whether singing in church choirs or simply filling his home with song, music was one of his greatest loves.
Richard was happiest when he had a tool in his hand and a project underway. Over the years he added onto and remodeled the family home many times; at the time of his death, he had several projects in progress. He taught his children the value of hard work-most often through actions rather than words.
Service was the quiet rhythm of Richard's life. He showed up to nearly every service project: picking fruit, painting houses, tilling gardens, and especially setting up chairs for church functions - a task at which he was something of an expert. He had a keen mind, a love of reading, beautiful penmanship, and a formidable gift for proofreading. With a red pencil in hand, he could spot an unnecessary "that" or "the" from across the room.
Richard will be remembered for his generosity, his reliability, his tinkering, and his constant willingness to serve.
His memory lives on with his wife, Diane; his children Matthew (Alicia) Orr, Deborah Watts, Danielle (Cameron) Fugal, Natalie Orr, Jonathan (KayeLynn) Orr, Jeremy (Shauna) Orr, and Zachary (Lindsey) Orr; his grandchildren Rachel Orr, Erika (Clayton) Squire, Matthew R. Orr, Benjamin (Saige) Orr, Joshua Watts, Sarah Watts, Karissa (Evan) Spencer, Mckay (Leilani) Fugal, Ryan Fugal, Skylan (Lily) Fugal, Chaska Ivers, Talon Ivers, Jaron Orr, Tyler Orr, Brooklyn Orr, Dylan Orr, Kai Hamilton, Jackson Vernon, and Kate Vernon; eight great-grandchildren; and his siblings Marilyn Parry, Marvin (Marie) Orr, Barbara Orr, Brent (Allayne) Orr, and Laurel (Sheila) Orr.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Vera Orr, and his sister, Gerry Orr.
A memorial service will take place Saturday, Nov 22, 2025 at 12 pm with a viewing 10:30 - 11:30 am. The services will be at 1405 North Main Street, Orem, UT. Memorial donations may be made to your local food bank.