Donald Leroy Orr

BURLESON — Donald LeRoy Orr, 92, passed from this life on  Saturday, July 5, 2014 Funeral: 6 p.m. Friday, July 11 2014 at First Baptist Church of Burleson. Interment: 2 p.m. Saturday, July 12, 2014 in Greenwood Baptist Church Cemetery in Midland. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 10, 2014 at Mayfield Kiser Funeral Home. Donald would appreciate memorial donations in lieu of flowers to go to Seminario Bautista Teologico de Cali (Theological Baptist Seminary of Cali) or Primera Iglesia Bautista De Cali (First Baptist Church of Cali). Please make the donations to:First Baptist Church Burleson 317 Ellison Street Burleson, Texas 76028 Donald was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas and grew up primarily in Hot Springs with a short time period in Malvern, Arkansas. After graduating from High School in Hot Springs, he entered Ouachita Baptist University.  He had been very interested in planes even as a young boy and had the opportunity to take flying lessons through the civilian pilot training program. When World War II broke out, he did not want to wait to be drafted, so he interrupted his education to volunteer for the US Army Air Corps, where he became a fighter pilot. He served his country staying three tours of duty in the China-Burma-India Theatre where he flew 200 missions, flying P-47s and P-38s and was assigned to the 60th Fighter Squadron in the 33rd Fighter Group. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross three times, the Air Medal five times and 3 Battle Stars. He transferred to the Retired Reserve with the rank of Major. As a result of his service in China he became an honorary Flying Tiger through an invitation by the 14th Air Force Association. After the war ended, he returned to Ouachita Baptist University and completed his BA in Church Music.  Then he went to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, and earned a Masters in Religious Education and a Masters in Music.  While at the Seminary, he met the love of his life, Violet Rogers, who then became Violet Orr in 1947.  Together they decided to take their love of music to the mission field, and became the first music missionaries ever appointed by the Southern Baptist Foreign Mission Board. After hearing a missionary speak about the need for help with a new seminary in Cali, Colombia, South America they knew God was calling them to serve there.  They were there for 34 years, during which time they helped build the Seminario Bautista Teologico de Cali.  They served in many capacities as the needs arose. Don was a professor, music minister, choir director, builder, treasurer, grounds keeper, as well as many others. He was also a wonderful husband and a father. Their first son Randy traveled with them to Colombia as a baby, two more sons, Rick and Roger were born there, and then a daughter Roxanna was born while on furlough in Fort Worth and returned with them to grow up in that beautiful country. Don earned a third degree while on furlough, this time a Masters in Spanish, from Texas Christian University. His desire was to be able to communicate better with his students. He grew to love many things about the Country of Colombia; the weather, the beautiful scenery, the food, the custom of siestas, but mostly the beautiful hearts of the people of Colombia. And the people there reciprocated that love. He retired to Midland Texas in 1985, but continued serving his Lord as a volunteer joining the Texas Baptist Men Retiree Builders, building churches and camps, working in Texas, Canada, New Mexico, Tennessee, and Japan. He also joined the Singing Men of Texas where he continued praising his Lord and Savior through music until he was 89. Don and Vi moved to Burleson Texas from Midland and joined First Baptist Church, where they served singing in the church choir and working in many other ministries. Don was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Violet Lee Rogers Orr. He is survived by a sister, MaryAnn Drinkwater and husband Bill of Little Rock, and a brother, Robert Orr and wife Linda of Hot Springs Village. Survivors: His legacy continues through his four children: Randall Lee Orr and wife Judy, Rick Don Orr and wife Donna, Roger King Orr, and Roxanna Nannette Orr Parker and husband Randy; as well as his eleven grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.  Not to mention the many nephews, nieces, cousins, and the many many lives that have been touched through his years of selfless service to his country and to his God.