Gerry Orr's Obituary
Gerry Orr passed away on Saturday, July 13, 2024, in a local care center after a brief hospital stay.
Gerry was born on June 5, 1947, in the home of her parents, Melvin Leonard and Vera Augusta Powell Orr, in St. Anthony, Idaho, the sixth of the seven children that would make up the family. Notoriety in the community came at a very young age: when the door on the family’s DeSoto flew open just past what was then known as the Reform School, she fell onto the highway. She was not missed until late that evening. She was finally found in the St. Anthony Hospital covered with scrapes and bruises.
Metaphorically, Gerry received many bumps and bruises during her life, including the health issues that eventually caused her demise. But she trooped on nonetheless. She will be sorely missed by family and friends who loved her and the memories of their association with her will be cherished.
In 1951 the family moved to a large farm on the desert west of Blackfoot, Idaho, where Gerry’s father worked for Howard Kelly. She became, along with her brothers, a trusted helper to her father in later years when he began renting farmland, first from Mr. Kelly and, later, from Severin Johnson.
Gerry attended school in the Snake River School District until January of 1964, when the family moved to Hibbard, Idaho, where her father had purchased a farm. She graduated from Madison High School in Rexburg, Idaho.
Having a head for numbers, she sought education in accounting and graduated from Steven Heneger College. She later became a Certified Public Accountant. Her work history included Wiggins & Co., P.C., CCI Mechanical, the Salt Lake Clinic, Salt Lake Airport Authority and Taylorsville City. She was generous with her time, talents and expertise when it came to serving family and friends. Just one example: each year she did tax returns for many of them without expecting remuneration.
From her experience being raised on an Idaho farm, Gerry had an abiding love for animals. She was well known for her pet dogs and cats. Her dog Solo was held in her remembrance to the end. Her daughter from an early marriage, Christie Duke, inherited that love for God’s creatures and now works as an E.C.C. Veterinary Technician. Gerry’s love and support for Christie superseded her utter disdain for Christie’s 350 pound house pig and was always available to assist.
She loved to play table games with her friends. Even during this last hospital stay, she was making plans over the phone for the next round of competitive fun. She was a member of a bunco group for years until the covid epidemic closed it down. Recently there was talk of putting the group together again. Gerry would have happily been right in the middle of it all.
Gerry, who was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was preceded in death by her parents and two nephews. She is survived by her daughter, Christie Duke, who lives in Salt Lake City, and six siblings: Marilyn Parry (Ross), South Ogden, Utah; Marvin Orr (Marie), Moreland, Idaho; Barbara Orr, North Salt Lake, Utah; Brent Orr (Allayne), Mill Creek City, Utah; Richard Orr (Diane), Orem, Utah, and Laurel Orr (Sheila), Moreland, Idaho, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Christie and Gerry’s Utah siblings will hold an informal come-and-go gathering in celebration of Gerry’s life at the South Cottonwood Stake Center, 1250 East 4800 South (on the corner of 1300 East and Murray Holladay Road) for family and friends in the Salt Lake Area on Friday, July 26, 2024, between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
A graveside service will be held Friday, August 9th at 11:00 a.m. at the Parker Cemetery, in Parker, Idaho.
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