Donald Wayne Orr
Donald Wayne Orr, went to be with the Lord on June 18, 2023 at age 82 years.
Donnie, as he was called by his immediate family, was raised in Tunnel Hill, Ga., and Chattanooga, Tn., on the Westside during his formative years. He was married at 16 years old (for 36 years) and joined the United States Armed Services at 18 and served for six years. He was an MP in the Army and based at a Special Combined Forces post in France during the Vietnam War. As such, he received a medal and commendation for his marksmanship. He went into the ministry and became a Pastor for the Church of God of Prophecy in 1965 and eventually became a Bishop. During his ministry he called Tennessee, South Dakota, Oregon, and Florida his home.
In his 20s he obtained a welding certificate and received his BA and certificate in Counseling in his thirties. While living in the Ocala, Fl. area after retiring from pastoring, he went to work for the State of Florida and ended his career in Child Protective Services. He retained his work there for over 30 years. He was still working at age 80. He was a member and deacon at the Assembly of God in Marion Oaks, Ocala, Fl., After a long illness with Covid he retired from his work with Kids Central and came home to live with his daughters. It has been their pleasure to enjoy the last years with him and to be with him as his journey here ended. They will tell you he has always been a great listener and a very loving father. In his words, it is never goodbye, just" See you later, gator".
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Nancy S. (Day), his father Richard W. Orr and mother Norma Christine (Powell), as well as his one sister Mary Ellen and his three brothers, Charles, Robert, and William "Billy" Orr.
He is survived by his three daughters, Donna (Gene Gouge), Teresa (Steven Weaver) and Michelle (Matthew Phillips); along with his grandchildren, Charity Julian, Leslie Benson, Benjamin and Daniel Lewis, Wesley Ransom, Brennan and Trenton Phillips, his great-grandchildren, Jordan and Courtney Robison and Khloe and Eathon Lewis, and a sister, Sandra Taylor.
A Celebration of Don’s Life will be held in the chapel of Hamilton Funeral Home with Rev. Larry Gouge officiating on Thursday, June 22, at 1 p.m. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, June 21, from 4-7 p.m.. He will be laid to rest alongside his wife, Nancy in the Chattanooga National Cemetery with military honors.
Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at www.hamiltonfuneraloptions.com
Hamilton Funeral Home and Cremation Services are entrusted with these services.