George Elwood Orr

George Elwood Orr of Oklahoma City, died on July 23, 2021, age 91. He was born in Junction City, Kansas but moved to OKC and attended Taft. At Classen High School he met Joanne Silver and both attended the University of Oklahoma. They were married after graduation in 1953 and immediately headed for Newport, RI and the Navy life.He received a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering in 1953 from the University of Oklahoma (OU) and an MBA in 1972. He was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and was a scholarship NROTC student. George retired as a Commander in the US Navy, serving three years on the destroyer USS Fiske based out of Newport, RI. He served more than 20 years in the Naval Reserve.George enjoyed collecting early American clocks and joined the National Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) in 1966 and received numerous awards through the years. George was elected as a national director on the NAWCC Council and went on to be elected President of the 32,000- member organization in 1999. George's two-year presidency covered its transition from an informal hobby group to an association of professionals as well as hobbyists. George supported the first overseas NAWCC Symposium in London, England and had oversight of the construction of a new Museum. An eMart was started and educational courses in clock repair were established. Later, he served as Convention Chair of the 2004 NAWCC National Convention in Oklahoma City.As a Registered Professional Engineer in New York, Pennsylvania and Oklahoma, George worked in manufacturing, industrial engineering and management producing both classified military electronics and commercial products.He worked for General Electric in Utica, NY, in the famed snow belt, then ten years in State College, PA with HRB Singer. Living on Mt. Nittany overlooking "Happy Valley" was a joy, as was the birth of son, Dan, in 1960. He helped organize and became Chair of a Joint Sewer Authority which built a $17 million sewage system for the region. He also helped start the Curtin Foundation to restore the 18th century Eagle Iron Furnace.Returning to Oklahoma in 1969 he was Manufacturing Manager for Altec's $5.5 million speaker production and President of Jersey Products. He was Manufacturing Manager of oil field equipment for Geolograph Division of Geosource. Prior to retirement, he spent years as an executive recruiter operating his own company, Executive Resources Inc. His hobby of clocks became a second career of clock restoration of Metro area family heirlooms. George and Joanne began their worldwide travels with the Navy when Joanne and another Ensign's wife followed the destroyer around the Mediterranean for three months. Later trips continued with the help of "Europe on $5 a Day". Tours of Alaska, Australia, China, Europe and Egypt were fine but a 1990 cultural exchange to newly opened Russia was memorable.The call of the sea was strong and George helped crew a racing sailboat from Bermuda to Annapolis among other sailing adventures. He taught Navigation courses to new boaters.in the OKC Power Squadron. George was president of the Lambda Chi Alpha House Corporation at OU for 20 years and received the fraternity's National Order of Merit in 1994.In Oklahoma City he and Joanne spent 30 years as volunteer ushers for the Civic Center. He was a founder of the Sooner Time Collectors, Chapter 74. He was active in the Oklahoma Genealogical Society, the 1889ers Society (his great grandmother made the Run as a widow!), Arts Festival, United Fund, Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts, and his neighborhood association. He was a long-time member of the Masons and the Engineering Club of OKC. He shared his expertise as a volunteer management consultant with the Executive Service Corps of Central Oklahoma (ESSCO).George is survived by his wife of 68 years, Joanne; son, Daniel, of Amarillo, TX; and granddaughter, Missy Harmon, and husband, Tyler, and three great-grandchildren, Jake, Chase and Shae, of Enid. Also, sister, Jacque Orr Maxwell, Tulsa; nephews Michael Maxwell (Cyndee), Tulsa; David Maxwell (Marcelo), Louisville, KY; niece, Linda Maxwell Brunger (Steve) Orlando, FL. He was preceded in death by parents Burt and Flossie Orr; grandson, Slayton Orr, and daughter-in-law, Rhonda Tilley Orr. Also, a succession of five rescue Golden Retrievers have been much loved members of the family.Of George's many activities, his favorites were teaching, mentoring, and helping others. He was a true friend to many, who will certainly miss his bright smile and caring support.A celebration of George's life will be held Saturday, October 23rd at 1:00p.m. with a reception to follow at Smith and Kernke North May Chapel. Donations in George's memory may be made to OU Foundation, Oklahoma Historical Society or the Sooner Golden Retriever Rescue.