Orr, Bobby Dan

Bobby Dan Orr was born on May 6, 1942, in the small town of Dekalb, Texas to Remoth Emory and Anna Lee Orr and was the third of five siblings. The family lived in Texas and California throughout their childhood before finally moving back to Dekalb where Bobby graduated from Dekalb High School. Immediately after graduation, Bobby enlisted in the Army and served for 3 years under the 84th Engineer Company which was stationed in Nurnberg, Germany. His time there ignited his passion for travel, culture, and language, and where his love for mission work began with the church there.

Bobby spent the next decade working in the mission field with churches in Central and South America where he learned to read, write, and speak fluent Spanish. His love for the Lord led him to serve wherever he was called to be, and his adventurous and free spirit allowed him the ability to sleep on tables and floors of any church that opened up its doors to him. He would accrue many stories of harrowing and narrow escapes with the elements and dangers he encountered in the jungles and mountains of South America, as well as the many faithful people and friends he prayed and studied with as he trained other evangelists throughout Ecuador.

It was one of these small group bible studies that brought him to the Velez household where he became smitten with a 21-year-old young lady named Bertha. He would become a close family friend who taught the Velez family all about the gospel and within the month several family members were baptized. During the next couple of years that he lived and continued his ministry in Cuenca, he developed a deep love for the Velez family, and especially for Bertha. When he was later called to go to Spain to expand his ministry, he reluctantly left. However, he spent all of 3 months there before he realized his mistake and sent a love letter to Bertha asking for her hand in marriage.

Bobby and Bertha were married at Webb Chapel Church of Christ in Dallas on October 25, 1980, and would live in Farmers Branch for the next 40 years where their daughters, Rachel, Paula, and Briana were born and raised. Bobby would work in several different fields, ultimately settling on home improvement work with Orr Enterprises, all the while still pursuing his true calling in ministry. He continued to preach and teach many bible studies for the Spanish congregations throughout the metroplex. He would use his home improvement business to meet and touch many people throughout his life. Those who knew him, remember his sincerity, his humble spirit, his kindness, and his genuine smile and laughter.

Bobby was first and foremost devoted to his family and found joy in watching his daughters grow and in teaching them about the Lord’s faithfulness. He was a devoted Papa who always found time to play and tease his grandkids in the way only he could and remind them that Jesus loved them. Bobby never shied away from any opportunity to share The Good News with anyone and everyone.

Bobby is preceded in death by his parents and youngest brother. He is survived by his brother, Earl Orr, his two sisters, Frances Ramsey and Norma Smith. He is also survived by his wife Bertha, his daughter Rachel Moss and her husband Brad, his daughter Paula and her husband Aaron, and his daughter Briana and her husband Sean. He is also survived by his prized grandchildren: Gavin, Gabriel, Charlie, Emma, Madelyn, and Lily.

Those who loved him will miss him dearly, but we celebrate in the joy that is knowing he is finally Home.