Everett "Luke" Orrell

Luke Orrell was born on Sept. 7, 1922, in Lovington, N.M. He was the youngest of four brothers. Shortly after he was born the family moved to Lakeview where he grew up on a farm. While in high school, he won the state typewriting contest. He graduated from high school and entered the Coast Guard during World War II in 1943 and served for three years stateside. Once Luke got out of the Coast Guard he moved to Fort Worth and went to work for Gulf Oil Corporation in the Land Department. While working for Gulf, he met the love of his life, Jaurie Naler.

Luke and Jaurie met near the end of 1946 and had their first date in February, 1947. They were married June 26, 1947. They both continued working at Gulf for the next six years until their first daughter, Luanne, was born in 1953. Shortly after that their second daughter, Joyce, was born in 1955. Gulf transferred Luke to Monahans and then the family ended up in Midland around 1958 where they remained until 1983. Luke traveled all over the U.S. for Gulf Oil as a landman while Jaurie stayed home with the girls and kept things running smoothly.

It was in 1983 that Gulf transferred Luke to Oklahoma City, Okla., as their land manager and he remained there until Gulf was bought out by Chevron Chemicals. He decided at that time to retire. After retirement, Luke and Jaurie moved back to Fort Worth. They then began to travel extensively in the United States and cruised to Alaska and the Panama Canal. They enjoyed their retirement immensely. Two of their favorite games to play were "42" and "Train" both of which are played with dominoes. Luke also enjoyed playing bingo. They continued to live in Fort Worth until March 2015 when they moved to Kingwood to be closer to their daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They also have a grandson and his wife that live in Rockville, Md.

Luke and Jaurie just celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary on June 26, 2015.

He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.

Luke was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Myrtle; three brothers, John, Louie and Vernon; and two sons-in-law, Wesley Jay and Rick Whatley.

Survivors: Wife, Jaurie; daughters, Luanne Jay and Joyce Whatley; grandchildren, Ryan Whatley, Jill and Chris Dumont, and Matthew and Maria Jay. Also surviving him are great-grandchildren, Dyllan, Lauren and Joslynn.