Paul G. Orr

Tuesday, October 2, 2018 from 5 to 7 PM at the Ingram-Meridith Funeral Home, Albion, IL

Celebration of a Life Well-Lived on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at 10:30AM at the Ingram-Meridith Funeral Home in Albion, IL with burial to follow at Graceland Cemetery, Albion.

Born in a little 4 room house on the south side of Moose Lake in Edwards County, Illinois on November 7, 1935, Paul Gordon Orr, the son of Donald E. and Huldah May Mills Orr was humbly born and lived inside that same home for most of his life.  He attended school at the nearby Montgomery one room school house, then Bone Gap School and finally Edwards County High School, where he played basketball and baseball. Baseball was his sport of choice and he continued in the game following in his father's footsteps; playing American Legion Ball and beyond against teams mostly in southeastern Indiana and the surrounding area. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and this important part of his life continued until his very last years. He was very familiar with skinning boards, coon hides, fox furs, deer antlers, turkey beards and spurs, rabbit, squirrel, quail, duck and pheasant and all the native fishes filling lakes ponds and rivers; especially his favorite bluegill. All were considered resources of the grand design of creation. Paul also had an artistic side and could draw anything. His oil paintings competed in local art shows and are displayed in relatives', friends' and neighbors' homes throughout the area. Working with wood and creating something from nothing was a challenge he relished; evident in the many turkey calls, gun and ammo boxes, and even a recurve bow; made with careful hands. Paul loved to sing and he could've sung with the best of them. Hymns, jingles, and even songs he made up in the moment. Lyrics that were descriptive, funny, and love- filled. A yodel or two was also on his song list. He sang at a neighbors’ funeral because as a young man, she asked him if he would, and he did; keeping his word and the promise he had made years before. A prolific poet and sentimental sap; you could find verses, at random, scribbled on scraps of paper everywhere he had been; lovingly signed and dated with that special artistic signature. Paul farmed and was a Shepherd; showing and shearing sheep around the region until in 1969 after attending the Illinois State Police Academy in Springfield, he became an Illinois State Trooper. His family relocated to New Berlin, IL and also lived in Loami, IL., thirdly living in Toledo, IL. for a year and lastly returning to that Moose Lake humble home and the life he valued most. Simple humility and a caring spirit made it easy to care for and help others; and enforcing the law he respected and honored was very important to him. He could be harsh, he could be tender wiping tears from his eyes as he read a poem or said a prayer in worship services or when leading fellow believers in a hymn; formerly at West Village Christian Church where he obeyed God's commands in his youth and became a Christian, or the Albion Church of Christ where he currently was a member. He could be angry or soft enough to make a baby smile and coo.  Bossy and stubborn; and most times it was his way or the highway, but with a heart that knew he was indebted to a Savior that had sacrificed and shed His blood for a sinner like him. He loved to have fun, to joke around, to laugh and most importantly to make others smile. He gave his very best to his community; putting his life on the line day in and day out for 22 years. Trooper Paul G. Orr received 22 commendations and special awards, but they weren't big news in the local media. He quietly and humbly accepted the recognitions and for the most part, not many even knew. He chose not to accept promotion as the red tape and political strings, he felt impeded him in doing the job he was called to do. He was most content though, in the woods and fields of his youth or in Pope County where he and "the crew" had been hunting since the early sixties. He was strong, creative, industrious, knowledgeable, caring, humble, safe, true, talented, loud and selfish sometimes unbearable but always authentic! On April 11, 1958 he married Margie Ann Doty and they enjoyed over 60 years together and she survives.  Also surviving are daughter Terri Lyn ( and husband Chuck) Hilgeman, son Timothy Paul (and wife Nicky) Orr,  sisters, Betty Orr Green (and husband Archie) and Nieta Orr Fewkes (and husband George), grandchildren:  Cole (Kara), Kyle (Stacey), Rachel (Tyson), Kate (Sam), Clare (Matt), Alex, Jenni and Lillie, and 8 great-grandchildren:  Kenley, Ava, Banks, Aubrey, Ariyanna, Matalynn, Sailor and Lyla, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  A daughter, Lori Ann devastatingly passed in 2008 after a hard fought battle with breast cancer at the young age of 47.  A baby sister, Harriet died in infancy and his parents Donald and Huldah May also passed in 1983 and 1987. Hearts are sad, but glad as well for we will all be together again in those many mansions prepared just for us by our Saviour and Lord.