Eugene George Orr

May 21, 1938 ~ November 17, 2020

Eugene George Orr was born May 21, 1938 in Craig, CO to Harry Flavius and Ruba Lichtenhahn Orr. He passed away November 17, 2020 at his home in Blanding surrounded by family members. He was the youngest of five children.

He spent his childhood living on a homestead near Axial, CO and attended elementary school in a one-room schoolhouse. The family later moved to Craig where he graduated from high school.

After graduation, he drove to Monticello to visit his brother and was offered a job with Geophysical Petroleum. He later worked for Redd Motors.

He married Claudia Shumway in 1958 and enlisted in the U.S. Army the same year. They spent his three-year enlistment living near Fort Lewis, WA.

After receiving an honorable discharge, he moved his family back to Blanding.

Gene and his mom joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when he was 12 years old. His first church calling was at the Blanding Indian Branch.

He served in various callings in the Third Ward, including assistant Scout Master with Steve Lovell, councilor in High Priest Group, and mission leader. He served a stake mission in the Montezuma Creek area and as a councilor in the Bluff Branch Presidency. He later served in the Mexican Hat and White Mesa Branches.

He joked that the church had run out of places to send him, so they would just have to keep him here.

Gene and Claudia are the proud parents of seven children. Jeffery Dale (Cari), Julie Rae Lucero, Larry Eugene (Nyla), Lisa Howe (Quinn), Jolynn Orr, and twins Kevin Shumway (Holley) and Damon Shumway (Codi).

Their son, Kevin, was a detective with the Uintah County Sheriff’s Department when he died in a helicopter crash while searching for a missing woman November 21, 2006.

Gene was a devoted husband and father. He loved to take his family jeeping, camping, fishing, and hunting. He also loved to cook, especially at family barbecues.

He was named Blanding’s Citizen of the Year in 1989. He was a hard worker from his childhood until he was nearly 82 years old when he became too weak to continue working.

He was diagnosed with terminal cancer in February 2019. Whenever anyone asked how he was doing, he would answer that he was doing fantastic, no matter how weak he felt.

Gene is survived by his wife and six children, 25 grandchildren, and 33 great-grandchildren with three more on the way.

He is preceded in death by his son, parents, and siblings.

Funeral services were held at the Blanding Stake Center November 21, 2020 and he was laid to rest at the Blanding City Cemetery following military rites by the local National Guard.

It was a special honor for him and his family to have two of his grandsons, Skyler Eugene Lucero and Cameron Shumway Orr who are members of the National Guard, fold and present the flag to their grandmother.

Card of thanks
The family would like to thank those who sent flowers, food, and their love to us. The wonderful Third Ward Relief Society who provided a meal for the family after the services.

We appreciate the kind services by Zion’s Way Hospice, the San Juan Mortuary, and the National Guard. A special thanks to Bishop Eric Acton and his councilors.

Claudia Orr
Jeff & Cari Orr
Julie Lucero
Larry & Nyla Orr
Lisa & Quinn Howe
Jolene Orr
Damon & Codi Orr
Holley & Jerry Boales

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