Tommy Orr

September 14, 1934 — April 3, 2024

Claremore

Thomas Henry Orr passed from this world into the loving arms of Jesus on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at the age of 89 years. He was born to Henry Claude and Phillipa Roth Kolly Orr on September 14, 1934, in Claremore, Oklahoma. He was one of thirteen children. This large family lived in various places in the surrounding area growing up as children of sharecroppers. He met a pretty young girl from the Sequoyah community named Jo Ann Gardner. They fell deeply in love, and he married her on November 2, 1954, before reporting for duty in the United States Army. His military service was cut short when he contracted hepatitis and got a medical discharge. Tommy came back to the Sequoyah area and to his new wife. A gift of an acre of land allowed the newlyweds to build their first home. It was a modest little house and within just a few years, two baby girls filled that home, and their family was complete.

Tommy became a brick mason after a short stint as a mail carrier. He worked primarily for FlintCo Construction and was involved in supervising many masonry jobs around the state. While this career allowed him to earn a living and provide well for his family, his dream was to own a cattle ranch. He began to purchase land and livestock. With his wife and two growing daughters by his side, Orr Cattle Company was born, grew, and is now a family legacy for future generations.

Tommy had a mountain-top experience with Jesus in his latter life and became a member of Eastern Hills Baptist Church. He also got involved in many community organizations where he served. He was on the school board at Sequoyah Public Schools for several years. He was also a board member of both the Oklahoma Farm Bureau and the Rogers County Cattleman's Association. He spent some time on the board of the Will Rogers Round-Up Club.

Tommy is survived by his daughter Terri Owens and son-in-law Mike Owens, grandchildren Micah and Justin Post, Kirby and Vanna Owens, Cale and Whitney Owens, and Terra and Kyle Stesney. Great-grandchildren Cade, Colter, and Stetson Post, Wiley Owens, Bill Guyer, and Hanna Stesney. Also surviving are brother Sam Orr, sister Phyllis Blankenship, and sister-in-law Betty Lawson.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Jo Ann, a daughter Tammy, a great-granddaughter Kaygan Lyn Post and ten siblings.

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Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Thursday, April 11, 2024

1:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)

MMS-Payne Funeral Home and Cremation Services-Claremore

102 W 5th St, Claremore, OK 74017

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Family Will Greet Friends

Thursday, April 11, 2024

5:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)

MMS-Payne Funeral Home and Cremation Services-Claremore

102 W 5th St, Claremore, OK 74017

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Funeral Service

Friday, April 12, 2024

Starts at 10:00 am (Central time)

Eastern Hills Baptist Church

16912 E 480 Rd, Claremore, OK 74019

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