Born in the Texas/Oklahoma panhandle at the home of her Aunt Carrie, she was the daughter of wheat farmers Ray & Lillian McComas.
Bonnie grew familiar with hardship at an early age. Wheat prices plummeted in 1929, then the dustbowl decimated the family farm. The McComases were left destitute. They traveled north in search of work, loading their Model T truck with a trunk for each, a sewing machine, five always hungry children and a fifty gallon barrel of gasoline. In late summer 1934 they landed in Colorado and worked picking peaches in Palisade. Eventually they settled in Montrose, in the midst of the Great Depression. They lived on game harvested from the Uncompahgre and a vegetable garden. Bonnie described her parents during those years as having kindness, frugality and carefulness. While her two brothers, one sister, and her father served during WWII, Bonnie went to school, graduating from Montrose High School and enrolling at Western State College.
Transferring to Mesa Junior College in 1950, she worked on the staff of The Criterion, where she met journalism student, Bill Orr. They married March 17, 1951.
Bill & Bonnie led an adventurous life, living at various times in Alaska, Wyoming, & Texas; but always returning to Colorado. Bonnie worked as an executive secretary for several attorneys & a lumber company, and an airline , as well as Brown & Root where she was employed on "Black Sunday" 1982. She related that even in the head office they were not informed that Exxon was pulling out.
An avid reader and gifted writer, Bonnie was an exceedingly independent woman. She walked all over the city up into her late 80s, searching out unique treasures at yard sales and antique shops. She lived on her own until early this year.
Bonnie is survived by her son Kim Orr, her daughters and son's-in-law, Sally & Mike Pahler and Janet & Tim Nelson. Also, John Orr, 16 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren with an 18th due any day. Bonnie Jean has gone home.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM, Monday, December 27, 2021 at Martin Mortuary with a committal service to follow at Orchard Mesa Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to HopeWest Hospice, 3090 North 12th Street #B
Grand Junction, CO 81506 in leu of flowers.
