Donald "Don" Curtis Orren

In Our Heavenly Kingdom and in the Loving Arms of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is to be found a beloved Husband, Father, Brother, and dear friend Donald Curtis Orren. Donald Curtis Orren was born on December 23, 1957 in Odessa, TX. He died unexpectedly at his home in Odessa, TX, on December 10, 2015 at the age of 57.

Don is survived by Tami, his wife of 34 years, his son K.C. and his daughter Stephanie, all of Odessa; his brother Rusty Orren and his wife Kathy of Bakersfield, CA; his sister Tracy Smith and her husband Walter of Colorado City, TX; his sister Kelly Foster and her husband Marc of Colorado City, TX; sister-in-law Leslie Grizzell and her husband Woodie of San Antonio, TX; brother-in-law Jeffrey Myers and his wife Karen of Odessa, TX; an aunt JoAnn Scott of Odessa, TX; and several nieces and nephews of whom he was very proud.

Don was preceded in death by his mother Vallory June Orren; his father William Kenneth Orren; his brother, Sawnie Blake Orren; and his mother-in-law Martha Myers.

As a youth, Don became a Cub Scout and a Boy Scout. Don achieved the rank of Eagle Scout on December 18, 1975. Once achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, Don served for several years as an assistant Scout master and Scout Master for Troops 786, 49, 78 and 775. Don gave his time with the Scouts until his death.

Don graduated from Permian High School in 1976. While at Permian, Don sang in the first Kantorei Choir at Permian High School. Don passed his love of singing on to his children, K.C. and Stephanie. Don was a member of St. Andrew Cumberland Presbyterian Church and had been a member since the early 1970s. Don was also a proud member of their choir.

Don began working for the Odessa Police Department on December 18, 1978. In April of 1985, Don was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, and he served in the Patrol Division as a Patrol Sergeant. He served in the Detectives Bureau as a Detective Sergeant in the Theft Unit and the Burglary Unit. In February of 1995, he was promoted to the rank of Police Lieutenant. In February of 2000, Don was promoted to the rank of Police Captain. In March of 2002, Don was promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief of the Odessa Police Department. He retired from the Odessa Police Department in October 2007.

During his time at the Odessa Police Department, Don earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology on May 8, 1993 from the University of Texas at the Permian Basin. He also had the opportunity to attend the 189th Session of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy. He graduated from the National Academy on June 20th, 1997. Don also taught Criminal Justice courses at Odessa College. Don also served as a Reserve Sheriff's Deputy for the Ector County Sheriff's Department until the time of his death.

Don had a full and rich civic spirit and dedicated his time to various organizations. Don served as a football official for the Texas Association of Sports Officials from 1990 until the time of his death. Don served on the Permian Basin Fair and Exposition Board from 1994 until his death.

Pallbearers will be Tommy McCain and Billy Dubose, who have been long-time friends of Don; Harold Thomas, Ron Inge, and Charlie Burns, who served with Don at the Odessa Police Department; and Chuck Alderson, Terrel Pierce, and Mike French, who served with Don in the Texas Association of Sports Officials. Honorary pallbearers include Ralf Harding, who served with Don in the Scouts, Milton Tharp who served with Don at the Odessa Police Department, and Joel Gonzales, who has been a long-time friend.

Visitation will be held Monday, December 14, 2015, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. with a family gathering with friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors 4635 Oakwood Drive, Odessa, TX. Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, December 15, 2015, at Saint Andrew Cumberland Presbyterian Church 1415 N. Grandview, Odessa, TX, with Dr. Jimmy Braswell officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Services entrusted to Odessa Funeral Home and Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors.

The Orren family would like to express our sincerest gratitude to everyone who has provided prayers, floral arrangements, food, and support through your presence at this extremely difficult time. Donations may be made to the Don Orren BTSR Scholarship Fund – Boy Scouts of America, 1101 West Texas, Midland, TX, 79701. May God bless you all abundantly