Jack Lee Orr

Jacky “Jack” Lee Orr, age 91, of New Castle IN, passed away Monday, January 12, 2026 in Dale, IN. He was born on September 17, 1934, in Ash Flat, Arkansas, to the late Samuel Melvin Orr and Vista Orr in the same home where his father had been born. He was the youngest of six children and, at about 18 months old, his family moved from Ash Flat to northeastern Oklahoma in search of work during the Great Depression.

Jack graduated from Owasso High School in 1951 at the age of 17½ and then moved to Wichita, Kansas, where he worked at Boeing Aircraft for a year. He then spent two years at Central Christian College in Bartlesville, OK. Jack served in the United States Army for two years where he was stationed in Germany. Upon returning from military service, he went back to Wichita, where he worked for Cessna Aircraft and began dating Barbara Durling. He later followed her to Harding College, and the two were married on June 2, 1962 in Wichita, KS.

After attending Harding College, Jack held several teaching positions while continuing his education. He earned his master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma and pursued further post graduate studies at Oklahoma State University. Jack was a biology professor at Cameron University in Lawton, Oklahoma for more than two decades. His favorite courses to teach were Microbiology and Anatomy to nursing students.

Jack enjoyed activities that he could share with his children such as watching Oklahoma Sooner football, dove and quail hunting, golfing, and fishing. He loved to introduce fishing to children who had never fished before. He also enjoyed singing barbershop and spent many years singing with the barbershop chorus in Lawton, Oklahoma.

Jack had a good sense of humor and was famous for his "Jackisms"—funny sayings that he intertwined in his daily conversations. Some came from his own family history and others he made up off the cuff. They provided a laugh to all those who knew him and they will continue to be a part of his family lore.

Above all else, Jack loved the Lord and was a faithful Christian throughout his life. He was a faithful and devoted husband to Barbara, and they raised three children to love the Lord. His greatest joy was that his children, grandchildren, and all their spouses are Christians, and he was humbled by that.

Jack was a godly example - especially to his grandchildren who witnessed him attending worship when it was challenging to even get dressed. With cane, walker, and wheelchair - rain or snow - he made it to worship God. He loved to sing hymns and often could be heard through the day singing his favorites. In his final days as his body was wearing out, he said he was ready to go home. When asked where home was, he said “Paradise Valley.”

Jack is survived by his loving and devoted wife of over 63 years, Barbara Orr; his children, Douglas Orr and his wife Stephanie of Santa Claus, IN, Gary Orr and his wife Melissa of Franklin, TN and Sherry Steward and her husband Chris of Burns TN. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren and his brother Samuel E. Orr of Owasso, Ok.

In addition to his parents, Jack was preceded in death by his siblings, Gerald Orr, Willa Dean Scearce, Martin Orr and Rayburn Orr.

Services will be held at 5:00 p.m. Saturday, January 17, 2026 at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle with Phil Morgan officiating. Visitation will be from 3:00 to 5:00pm Saturday, prior to the service. You may express condolences or share a memory of Jack at www.hinsey-brown.com.

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