Dennis Orr

Dennis Orr passed away peacefully at home on July 18, 2021, with Rita his wife of 58 years by his side. Dennis was born on October 6, 1942 to Robert and Irene Orr. He was the middle of their three children. His father owned a trucking company and as a youth Dennis lived in many different places throughout the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountain areas. It was while studying Chemistry at Regis College in Denver, CO that he met Rita, who soon became his wife and best friend. Dennis and Rita started a family and had three sons. With his Chemistry background, he became a salesman in the analytical instruments industry. While working and raising a family he earned a degree in business from Saint Mary's College in Moraga, CA. He rose through the corporate ranks and retired after 34 years as General Manager with Thermo Electron. After retirement, Dennis not being one to rest on his laurels, became a Grocery Store Manager as well as District Supervisor for the Census Bureau in Austin, TX. In 2005, he finally retired for good and he and Rita moved to Wickenburg. Being a person of great faith, he became very involved in parish life at Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. He served for a number of years as President of Saint Anthony's Society for Saint Vincent de Paul. More recently he acted as Treasurer and a board member of Wickenburg Community Services Corporation. Dennis had an insatiable curiosity and loved to travel and experience the beauty of this world and its people. He was also a man of great love and lived a life in the service of others.



Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Larry, and his son Robert. He leaves behind his wife Rita, his son's and their wives, Dan and Melinda, Michael and Andria. He is also survived by his seven grandchildren; Taylor, Sam, Madelyn (Trey), Devin, Owen, Andrew, Avery, great-grandson Sandy, sister Roberta and sister-in-law Carol.



He will be deeply missed by his family and all who had the pleasure of knowing him. On August 11, at 9:15AM, there will be a Scriptural Rosary at Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, followed by a 10AM funeral Mass.



In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Society of Saint Vincent de Paul or Wickenburg Community Services Corporation.