Gerald "Gary" Orr

October 23, 1959 - April 19, 2015

Gerald R. “Gary” Orr age 55, of Ottumwa and formerly of Knoxville, passed away Sunday, April 19, 2015, at his residence in Ottumwa, after a five battle with ALS. A memorial service for Gary will be held at 2:00 P.M., Wednesday, April 22, 2015 at the Winfield Funeral Home of Knoxville, with Pastor John Bacon officiating. Gary’s family will be greeting friends on Wednesday at the funeral home from 1:00 P.M., until service time. Gary was born in Des Moines, Iowa on October 23, 1959, the son of Gerald Lee and Roberta Marlene (Rankin) Orr. Gary was raised in Knoxville and attended Knoxville High School. After high school Gary worked in area factories and also had worked as a carpenter. He helped managed the family business, Hawkeye Farm Equipment and later Gary worked for several years in Florida as a supervisor of a salvage and recycling yard. On June 2 of 1978 Gary and Kerry Louise Luther were united in marriage. They shared over 13 years of marriage and were blessed with four girls, Stephanie, Megan, Ashley, and Krystal. Gary and Kerry later divorced and Gary was blessed with his fifth daughter, Lilli. Gary enjoyed and loved horses all his life. He was a NASCAR fan, especially Jeff Gordon. He had a passion for cars and was a talented mechanic. Gary is survived by his five daughters, Stephanie (Lonny) Probst of Eddyville, Megan Orr of Knoxville, Ashley (J.D.) Blauw of Knoxville, Krystal Orr of Knoxville and Lilli Orr of Ottumwa; and five grandchildren, Emma, Kaiden, Hailey, Aria, and Kimber. He is also survived by his mother, Roberta Orr of Knoxville, two sisters, Debbie Greiner of Knoxville and Delaine (Harlan) Clark of Knoxville; one brother and longtime care giver for Gary, Rob Orr of Ottumwa; and many friends, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents; his father, Gerald Lee Orr; and his brother in infancy Jeremy Orr. A memorial in Gary’s memory has been established to his family for expenses. Condolences may be sent to www.winfieldfh.com. The Winfield Funeral Home of Knoxville is assisting Gary’s family with services.