John F. “Jack” Orr

ORR, PFEFFER, THEDENS, WATKINS, WEBSTER

Posted By: Cindy (email)
Date: 12/2/2021 at 18:49:08

John F. “Jack” Orr, 88, of Independence, Iowa, formerly of Rowley, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on September 17, 2020, at the Buchanan County Health Center in Independence.

Jack was born on August 16, 1932 , in Independence to John and Rosa (Thedens) Orr. He was a graduate of Rowley High School and served in the US Army from 1953 to 1955. He married the former Betty Lou Pfeffer of Cedar Rapids on July 8, 1953.

They raised one son, Jim (Janet) Orr of Rowley and three daughters, Cindy Orr of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Susan (Jerry) Webster of Rowley, Iowa, and Julie (Les) Watkins of Granby, Colorado, on the family farm outside of Rowley.

Spending most of his working career at Universal Engineering in Cedar Rapids, his love for the Orr family farm was always close to his heart. Jack was a lifetime resident of Rowley and a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Rowley. He enjoyed camping, square dancing, summers in Colorado and spending time with his cousins. He “made friends wherever he went”. And he was known for his fast car, a ’49 Oldsmobile 88.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents and son, Dennis. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Betty, his four children, five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Friends may call for visitation from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the White Funeral Home in Independence on Sunday, September 20th. A private family funeral will be held on Monday, September 21st and a public graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm at the Rowley Cemetery followed by a celebration of life at the Rowley park.

White Funeral Home of Independence is in charge of arrangements. On line condolences may be left at www.White-MtHope.com.