Raybourn Eugene Orr was age 92, when he passed from this life on Friday October 23, 2020. He was born on June 17, 1928 to Samuel and Vista (Martin) Orr in Ash Flat, Arkansas. His love for the Lord and family were unquestionable qualities of his life. At the age of seven his family moved to Northeast Oklahoma for better opportunities during the depression.
Raybourn attended Owasso High School where he was a member of the varsity basketball team and was the lead starter for the track relay team. Upon graduating, he attended Harding College in Searcy, Arkansas for one year to pursue a degree to become a minister of the gospel. He then attended Northeast Oklahoma State University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business education.
In 1951, Raybourn enlisted into the United States Army and proudly served his country in Korea for the duration of the war. He received a commendation medal for Meritorious Service. Shortly after the truce was enacted, he was Honorably Discharged in August 1953.
During his time in Korea, Raybourn organized service men that wanted to meet for worship services. With just a few at first, the worship services quickly grew in numbers and over time a Korean church was planted.
After his service was completed, he worked for Sinclair Oil Company, which later merged with ARCO, as an Accountant for 32 years. Then for 10 years, Raybourn worked with Discover Card in sales.
In 1954 while attending the 10th & Rockford Church of Christ, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he met and dated Norma Jean Calvert. On June 18, 1954, they were married and resided in Tulsa, then, in Richardson, where they raised two sons.
Raybourn’s passion has always been for the Lord’s church. In the early 1960s, he began preaching part-time for the Church in Skiatook, Oklahoma. Then in 1962, he began preaching for the Southside Church of Christ in Jay, Oklahoma. He had a love for evangelism and having one on one bible studies. For the seven years, Raybourn preached in Jay, the church grew from 20 members to over 120 when he left in 1969.
In 1969 with the merger of ARCO, Raybourn was transferred to Dallas and his family moved to Richardson.
The importance of having a church home and as a life-long member of the Church of Christ his family began attending the Waterview Church of Christ in Richardson. Raybourn served for 17 years as one of the elders for the Waterview congregation until Norma became ill and he stepped down to care for her.
Raybourn prided himself in being a faithful Christian, who lived a humble life. His main goal in life was to teach his children and grandchildren to live a Christian life and for them to raise their children in the same way. He always reminded us to take care of his good name.
He is survived by his son, Marcus Orr of Richardson, Texas; son, John Orr and wife, Meleah of Fairview, Texas; grandchildren, Michelle and Justin Stanley of Richardson, Texas, Andrea and Greg Parks of Wylie, Texas, Ryan and Lyndsay Orr of Cheyenne, Wyoming; six great grandchildren, Nolan Parks, Madison Parks, Katherine Stanley, Rebecca Stanley, Owen Orr and Oliver Orr.
Raybourn was preceded in death by his loving wife of 48 years Norma.
In support of our local, state, and federal govt including CDC directives and to protect the physical health, safety and well-being of our community, only a limited number of guests will be allowed to attend the Funeral Service.
A funeral service will be held at 12:00 noon, Wednesday, October 28, 2020, at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home Chapel, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas. Interment is to follow at Ridgeview Memorial Park in Allen. The service will also be live streamed at TJMfuneral.com on Raybourn’s obituary page by clicking on the following link: Celebrationoflife.tv. After the service, the recorded live stream will be available for viewing at the same link location.
However, when the maximum number of guests are reached, those who would like to honor Raybourn and show their support to his family may remain at the funeral home in your vehicle, where you can watch the live streamed service on your personal device (laptop, tablet or smartphone) or listen through a designated FM radio channel.
A “come and go” visitation will be held on Tuesday evening, from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Allen. Only a limited number of guests will be allowed to enter the funeral home facility at any one time to maintain social distancing.
Celebrationoflife.tv livestream https://celebrationoflife.tv/blog/raybourn-eugene-orr