Posted on 03/09/2020
Alan L. "Al" Orr, age 84, of Grand Rapids, passed away on Friday, March 6, 2020. He was preceded in death by his daughter, JoAnn and an infant son. Al is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Sally Jo; their loving children, Kimberly (Dr. James) Cecere of MN, Col. Alan II (Tina) Orr of TX, Karen (Tara Hoff) Orr of WI, Shawn (Tammy) Orr of Grand Rapids; 10 grandchildren; three great grandchildren; sister, Jeannine (Dr. George) Drake; sister-in-law, Sandra Krueger; numerous special nieces and nephews. Al grew up in Grand Rapids and was a graduate of the US Naval Academy. He served 26 years in the Marine Corps, earning a purple heart and a bronze star, prior to retiring as Lt. Col., and then moved back to Grand Rapids. He enjoyed a second career working in the Michigan university system, first as the Computer Center Director at GVSU in Allendale, then as the Business Center Director at WMU in Kalamazoo. After retiring for the second time he found further fulfillment working for 5 years as the Business Manager for Holy Family Catholic Church in Caledonia. In his spare time, Al enjoyed hunting and fishing with his grandchildren, boating on the Thornapple River, and flying small planes for personal pleasure and Search and Rescue for the Civil Air Patrol. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 am on Wednesday, March 11 at Holy Family Catholic Church, 9669 Kraft SE, Caledonia, with Rev. Loc Trinh celebrant. Burial St. Patrick's Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet the family Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 616 E. Main St., Caledonia, and from 10-11 am on Wednesday at church. A rosary service will be held at 7:30 pm Tuesday at the funeral home. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to CombatMarineOutdoors.org. Condolences may be sent online at www.mkdfuneralhome.com.
Published in Grand Rapids Press on Mar. 8, 2020