Roll Call Tribute

George Warren “Buddy” Orr
September 15, 1929 - December 18, 2021

George Warren “Buddy” Orr was born in Tulia, Texas on September 15, 1929, to Alma and George Warren Orr, Sr. He went to be with the Lord on December 18, 2021, at the grand age of 92.

Buddy was the oldest son of four children. He attended Texas A&M University in 1951 on an Animal Husbandry Scholarship and was a second-generation Aggie like his father Warren of the class of 1929. While at A&M, he was a member of the Corps of Cadets and remained a lifelong, proud Aggie. Although he possessed a sharp wit, he failed to see the humor of an Aggie joke.

He married Josephine Marie “Jo Marie” Crowder in 1952 and they had two children, Ricky, and Shana. In 1962, he undertook the grand adventure of a lifetime and moved his family across the world to the deserts of North Africa to pursue a lifelong career in the burgeoning oil and gas industry. After Libya, he again moved to the other side of the world, to Singapore in Southeast Asia. During his professional career, Buddy worked for Amerada Hess, Oasis Oil Company and Petromer Trend.

Buddy loved watching his great-grandkids play, (although he would secretly take out his hearing aids). He enjoyed playing darts, fishing, (not catching), watching a judge show or a good western on TV, and eating curry. He could fix practically anything and taught himself to repair antique clocks by sight and sound. He was truly a master of many talents.

He and Jo Marie retired in 1987 and moved to Amarillo, Texas to be closer to family. After Jo Marie passed away, he, Marguerite and his siblings and their spouses bought a Ford Conversion van and set out to travel together and stir up trouble. The stories of those trips are legendary.

He is preceded in death by both of his parents, his wife Jo Marie, his brother, Allen Orr, and sisters, Donna Orr White, and Cherie Orr McCowen Peterson. Buddy later reconnected with a high school classmate from Tulia, Marguerite Yow, and spent many happy years with her until her passing in 2018.

He is survived by his son, Ricky Orr and wife Andy Orr of Amarillo, Texas, his daughter Shana Oliver and husband Mike Oliver of Canyon Lake, Texas, as well as granddaughter Kaitlin Manuel and husband Christopher, grandson Stephen Oliver, grandson Jason Orr and wife Britni and grandson Reagan Orr and wife Bailey along with 5 great-grandchildren: Stetson Orr, Boston Orr, Everett Orr, Jordyn Orr, and Reese Manuel.

Buddy fiercely loved his family and will be forever missed by those who had the good fortune to know him.

Graveside service will be at Terry County Cemetery, 1761 County Road 430, Brownfield, Texas. Due to family members with Covid, we have postponed the graveside services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Amarillo Meal on Wheels, 7550 Outlook Drive, Amarillo, Texas 79106, or the charity of your choice.