John Edward Orris

Article Last Updated; Monday, October 05, 2009 12:50AM

John Edward Orris Sr. died Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009, in Durango. He was 72.

Mr. Orris was born Sept. 2, 1937, in East Millsboro, Pa., the son of Joseph C. Orris and Anna Christina Lilley. After graduation from Brownsville High School in Pennsylvania, Mr. Orris served four years in the Air Force. On Oct. 3, 1959, Mr. Orris and Carmen Guevin were married at St. Anthony’s Church in Manchester, N.H.

Mr. Orris was employed by New England Telephone & Telegraph Telephone Co. from 1968 to 1973, when the family moved to Meeker. Mr. Orris transferred to Mountain Bell and worked there until 1985, after which he did private contracting for various companies.

The Orrises moved to Durango in 2005 to be close to their children and grandchildren. Mr. Orris enjoyed traveling and spending time with his family and was a member of St. Columba Catholic Church.

He was preceded in death by five brothers and his parents.

He is survived by his wife, Carmen Orris; son John Orris Jr.; and daughter, Amy Orris, all of Durango; son Joseph Orris, of Cortez; sisters Pauline Izett, of Brownsville, and Ann Miekle, of Monongahela, Pa.; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and many nephews and nieces.

A Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, October 6, 2009, at St. Columba Catholic Church. The Rev. James Koenigsfeld will officiate. Burial will follow at Greenmount Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made “in memory of John E. Orris” to the Four Corners Heart Clinic, 1 Mercado St., Suite 130, Durango, CO, 81301.