Donald Frank Orr

Donald Frank Orr passed away peacefully in Salt Lake City on January 3, 2016. He was born in Westmont, New Jersey to Alfred Joseph Orr and Florence Alma Wheatley, both of Philadelphia, Penn. Don spent his early years at school in Atlantic City, New Jersey. He later attended George Washington University in Washington, DC where he was called to active duty during WWII. As a young lieutenant, he served with the Army Ordinance War Planning Command at the Pentagon, Washington, DC where he met the love of his life, Esther Ann Sommer of Buchanan, NY, where she was also posted with the Women’s Army Corp as a non-commissioned officer. They were married at the Walter Reed Center in Washington, DC. They were together for 71 years and raised four daughters. Don also served a tour of duty as a Captain in the European Theater of Operations before returning to civilian life.

He joined the predecessor companies to Sperry Rand Corporation where he introduced and set up international distribution outlets for the emerging market for electronic computer systems. Over the next 28 years, Don’s assignments took him and his family to a number of countries where they resided in or traveled to and where he held a number of positions including Vice President for International Operations. Don then moved his family to Southern California when he became president of CMC International. He subsequently held executive management positions and served on various Board of Directors at several ‘high tech’ companies before he retired again in 1995.

Don was very active member of the Presbyterian Church USA, where, among other assignments, he served as a Ruling Elder. He was a member of the Justice Lodge Masonry, No 46 F.A.A.M. in Washington, DC. He enjoyed summers with his family at their camp in the Adirondacks and travel that took them to many parts of the world.

He is survived by his wife, Esther and children: Linda Makaritis (Athens, Greece), Carolyn Grandstaff (Salt Lake City), Beverly Pacal (Park City) and Pamela Slater (Portland, Oregon), nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Alfred Orr and sister, Kathryn Broomall. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at 2:00 PM at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 S. Highland Drive, Salt Lake City. A viewing will be held one hour prior to the services from 1:00-1:45. For condolences please visit www.wasatchlawn.com.