Orville L Britain

Orville Leo Britain, cherished husband, brother, father, grandfather, great grandfather, great great grandfather, and friend passed away peacefully on September 9, 2021, in the loving arms of his family in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Orville was born in the farming community of Elmdale, Kansas, on October 19, 1929, to Winfred and Grace (Harder) Britain just as the Great Depression began. Life on the farm meant hard work, which Orville also applied to the high school classroom and to athletics where he was a three-letter athlete on the Elmdale High School track, basketball, and football teams.

After graduating high school, Orville longed to see the country beyond the range of the Flint Hills. So, he joined the newly formed United States Air Force. After Boot Camp in Texas, he saw a posting for Pepperell AFB in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. He volunteered for the assignment without knowing where it was.

In 1951 while stationed in St. John’s, Orville met Mary Power, the love of his life. In September of 1952 they were married and began a long and beautiful life together until Mary’s death in 2016. From 1952 through 1975 the family had four children and lived in a number of Air Force Bases and towns in the U.S. and Canada.

Orville loved the mountains and Pike’s Peak in particular. So, it was no surprise that following his retirement from the Air Force in 1975, the family settled down in Colorado Springs.

Orville had a wonderful voice and could often be heard singing. “The Tennessee Waltz” by Patti Page and Hank Williams “Kaw-Liga” were two of his favorite tunes. He was a quiet, unassuming man with a quick wit, and was always the first to help someone in need.

Duty, decency, and respect guided Orville through a long and happy life.

Surviving children, spouses and family are: Robert (Deb Holt) Britain of Kansas City, Missouri; Marjorie (Charlie) Bliss of Peyton, Colorado: Brian (Sheryl) Britain of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Craig (Sharon) Britain of Colorado Springs, Colorado; brother Harold “Bud” (Paulette) Britain of Sagle, Idaho; sister-in-law Anne (Power) Joyce of St. John’s, Newfoundland; grandsons Andrew and Kenneth Kirts and Derek White; granddaughter Amber White; great grandsons Graesyn and Kirin Kirts, Lucas and Braden Brown and Ethan White; great granddaughter Lexys White; and great great granddaughter Ellebelle Brown; and numerous other nephews and nieces.

Orville was a member of Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Colorado Springs.