Allen Orr

Allen was born in Florence, Alabama, December 5, 1940, and grew up in Athens, Alabama.   He was the third son of Frank Howard Orr II and Lola Lynch Orr.  He married Jeannie Mallow Orr of Plainview, Texas, November 29, 1969.   Allen died at home on May 11, 2022, in Aurora, Colorado, where he and Jeannie have lived since 2005.

He is survived by Jeannie, his wife of 51-plus years, his two “older” brothers Johnny and Frank (Betty), both of Nashville, and a multitude of nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews on the Orr side.  All of Jeannie’s family adopted him into their family!

Allen was never one to promote his educational and work experience. He was a humble man.   After he completed his PhD folks would ask, “Am I supposed to call you Dr. Orr?”  His reply was always “You can call me Dr. Orr one time only – or Your Highness.”  This speaks to Allen’s sense of humor…which he never lost! His wit was dry and he was a master of puns.  Folks always said as long as he had his dry wit he was doing fine.  He told his classes at Memphis State that his hobby was “killing bonsi”…..and he did!

As a young man he was involved in sports, drama and music...and sometimes he even studied (or so he said).  He was an Eagle Scout, represented Alabama at Boy’s State, and was involved in choir and organizations in his church - the First Baptist Church of Athens.

Following graduation from Athens High, he started his career as a student collecting letters after his name.  This speaks to his unquenchable curiosity and a desire to keep learning that never ended.   He attended Auburn University (War Eagle) and graduated with a BA in Communications in 1963.  He studied a year at Oregon State University in Corvallis, where he worked with the Baptist Student Union (BSU) and led their choir.  Following that he attended one year at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky.  This educational quest was interrupted when he entered the Southern Baptist Journeyman Program in 1965-1967 where he served two years in Cebu, Philippines. He was an adjunct professor at Southwestern University and University of Southern Cebu, and led their Glee Club. Following the two years in Cebu, he worked for the SBC Foreign Mission Board for one year promoting the Missionary Journey Program in colleges throughout the United States. In 1968 he returned to the seminary and completed his Master of Divinity in 1970.  He became the Baptist campus minister at the University of Colorado Boulder from 1971-1973. He often described this as his most challenging and exciting position…it was the early 70’s after all!  He returned to the SBC Foreign Mission Board and worked with individuals exploring the option of becoming foreign missionaries.  This involved a move to Kansas City, MO.

In 1979 the desire for more and different educational studies took him to graduate school.  This involved a move to New Jersey for school at Teacher’s College Columbia University in NYC.   There, he received a Master of Education and a PhD in Anthropology.  He did his dissertation research in the Philippines.  Later he decided to take a few courses toward an MBA at Lemoyne College in Syracuse.  Yes, he was always learning.

Following the successful defense of this 400-plus-page dissertation (he wanted to make sure he included all of the information he had collected!) his career in Organizational Development and Change Management began as a consultant at Engelhard in New Jersey.  Eventually he took a position at Niagara Mohawk Electric in Syracuse, New York.  Five years later he started his own business and continued doing consulting….primarily with non-profit organizations.  Eventually he was an online adjunct professor at the University of Memphis, Tennessee.

Allen was a man of few words but when he spoke, people listened.  He was attentive, professorial, insightful, a good soul.  He never complained about his two diseases (Charcot-Marie-Tooth and Parkinson’s) and his increased disabilities.  He was always ready to try anything new…experiences or food.  His curiosity and desire to learn never waned.  One of his most treasured compliments came from a professor at Southern Seminary who told Allen “You are a man of great integrity.”

Years ago he wrote that making a contribution to those he touched, acting with integrity, respecting others and being a continual learner made up his value statement.

There will be a celebration of Allen’s life on Monday, June 6 at 2 p.m. at the Aurora Center for Active Adults, 30 West Del Mar Cir, Aurora, CO 80011

Instead of flowers, please make a contribution to your local Habitat for Humanity or your local soup kitchen or food bank.