James Weaver Orr

ORR, JAMES WEAVER (1937 ~ 2023). The following is an obituary for James Weaver Orr, former member of the Texas State Board of Radiation Control and former member of the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners. The obituary was provided by Weed, Corley, Fish Funeral Home of Austn.

Devoted husband, father, grandfather, passed to eternity on April 29, 2023 at his home with his wife by his side. James W. Orr… you either feared him or loved him.. Most adored him.

Jimmy Orr, 4th child to William H. & Naomi Orr, born March 23, 1937, Emporia, Kansas.

With hard times during the 30’s in America, each of the 4 children were born in different Midwestern towns, as Bill & Naomi worked hard to pay the bills and keep the family managed.

In 1940, they settled permanently in Houston, Texas, to be near family. Bellaire and West University became home.

Times were innocent and pure during those years, where kids would leave the house in the morning, be gone all day on bikes with BB guns, swimming in swimming holes, and playing carefree like kids with no supervision. He and his siblings loved those days.

Jimmy graduated from MB Lamar High School, where he excelled in sports. He could always recall every play he had in that 8th grade football city championship game but he couldn’t tell you what he ate for breakfast.

He enrolled in the Army the day after high school graduation which was the beginning of his military commitment/love. He held ranks from private to Captain, Graduate of OCS, and remained active and inactive in the Army reserve where he was Captain in US Army Dental Corps.

His dedication for learning began during this time and guided him through his life.

His undergraduate degree from Sam Houston State University combined with a love for organic chemistry, lead to his Graduation from University of Texas Dental Branch, Houston, 1968.

His teaching bug started at University of Texas Dental Branch, where he combined teaching and practicing as Dental director with Kelsey Seybold Medical Clinic in Houston.

Jimmy Loved Dentistry, it was his hobby, and he would share the occlusion conversation with anyone everyone anytime.

He began teaching internationally and with other schools as a visiting professor including Manchester, UK where he loved the students, travel, and made lifelong friends. He became the original visiting faculty to the LD Pankey Postgraduate dental School in Coral Gables, Florida. He loved taking young students and sharing the idea of “Keeping your cross in balance” into their practices and lives.

Of course, he held all the state and national Dental offices possible plus some. He was most proud of his Fellowship in the American College of Dentistry. He was dental consultant to Texas Attorney General, Commissioner of Health and Human services, FBI, along with Director of Texas Medicaid program for 10 years. He was appointed by Texas governors to serve on the Texas State Board of Radiation and the Texas State Board of Dental Examiners. This led him to the legal profession where he taught and monitored compliance to these laws and rules of dental practices in Texas, taking part in hundreds of legal cases with attorneys of Texas. He really loved this aspect of his life and thought of himself as attorney.

Then there was his lifelong interest in politics which began early as he served voluntary positions, county chairman, election judge, and delegate to state/national conventions to name a few. In 1964 he helped develop the Texas Republican party by becoming one of the first Republican Candidates for US Congress in Texas since the civil war by running for U.S. Congress alongside Senatorial candidate George H. W. Bush.

His accolades continued through his membership as Deacon in the Presbyterian Church, Member of St Francis Anglican church, chapter president of Local Rotary, original member of the 100 club. He was co- founder of the Manos DeChristo Dental Clinic, and Austin HIV Dental Clinic Austin, Texas. He was a member of the Sam B Cantey Ch #1840 of order of De Molay, a life member of S.P Waltrip Masonic Lodge #1328, a member of the Shrine, and a 32 degree Mason.

Along the way, he married his best friend Sue Reiley Orr, where they shared lots of joy, love, sports, and kids for a very short 28 years. These were truly treasured times for all.

He and Sue had some wonderful trips with friends seeing all the places they cherished. An Avid sportsman, he spent time hunting, fishing, talking politics/good books with brother John, with whom he had a special bond the last 20 years. Playing with grandkids, making them giggle, always busy with projects around his home and going to UT sporting events kept the days fun and happy.

The family wishes to thank the wonderful medical personnel that allowed him to be home for the last year. David Hayes, MD, St. David’s Main hospital, Cedar Pointe Nursing and Rehabilitation, Austin Geriatric Associates, Capitol Home Health, Silverado Hospice, and His dear sweet caregivers Claudia, Carlena, And Ashley. All are the BEST!

Jim is preceded in death by son Max, Parents William H. (Bill) and Naomi Mathilda Williams Orr, siblings Bill, John, Katherine.

He is survived by wife Sue Reiley, children and Should ‘a been children Steve (Kay), Forrest Jr (Meredith), Cara, Amy (Michael), Paulo (Ania). Grandchildren Will (Avery) the twins, Max Jr, Harper, Margaret, Katherine.

Jimmy Loved God, America, Texas, Family, Blue Bell, a good cigar/pipe and scotch!

A processional from Weed, Corley Fish, 5416 Parkcrest, Austin, 78731 will be at 10:15 Tuesday May 9, 2023 to the interment at 11:00 am at the Texas State Cemetery, 909 Navasota, Austin Texas, 78702. A reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice, or to St Louis Catholic School, 2114 St Joseph Blvd, Austin 78757.

Per Jimmy's notes “ It’s Been Wonderful”!