James Craig Orfield

James Craig Orfield, 53, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016 at Georgetown University Hospital after an extended illness. A native of Bristol, Va., Mr. Orfield was the son of James and the late Evelyn Durham Orfield. He was an honors graduate of Virginia High School, where he discovered his lifelong affection for journalism and served as editor-in-chief of the Virginian Times. He received the Award of Excellence from the Virginia Collegiate Press Association in 1984 and was named an Outstanding Young Man of America during the same year. Mr. Orfield was an honors graduate of Virginia Intermont College, earning his B.A. degree in 1985. He was a member of Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities in 1984 and 1985. He also studied business writing at the University of Pennsylvania.

He commenced his professional career as a reporter and later Business Editor for the Johnson City Press in Johnson City, Tenn. In 1988, he took a leave of absence to serve as communications director for the Bill Andersen campaign for U.S. Senate. Mr. Orfield moved to Washington, serving several years as press secretary for then-Rep. Tom Coleman. He recalled the years serving as press secretary to Sen. Christopher "Kit" Bond, and then as communications director for the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business, which the senator chaired, as among the happiest of his life. He also served several years as both minority and majority communications director for the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, until his retirement.

Mr. Orfield was a charter member of Community Church, Bristol, Tenn.

In addition to his father, survivors include his wife, Dr. DeeDee K. Smart; two aunts, Katherine Broce, of Bristol, Tenn.; and Frances Dougherty, of Bristol, Va.; mother-in-law Kay Smart; brother-in-law M. Shane Smart; and numerous nieces and nephews and special friends.

His was a venerable soul inside a modern vessel, buffeted by an insidious disease that yielded chronic pain and difficulty. Yet Eric Osborne, Mr. Orfield's lifelong friend, said he could not ever remember a word of complaint.

"While kind thoughts and assistance were always there for the taking, from his friends and colleagues, he would never look to impose on another. The strength and depth of his character was simply beyond that," Mr. Osborne said.

Sen. Ryan Silvey of Missouri began his career working with Mr. Orfield. "I treasured his wise counsel. He was always there for me. I could always talk to him and we shared so many experiences. He became one of my closest friends. I called him my 'Ringer' -- the one you call, or the one you send in when things are tough," Mr. Silvey said.

A viewing and reception will be held at Joseph Gawler's Sons Funeral Home, 5130 Wisconsin Ave., NW (Harrison Street), Washington, DC (Valet Parking) Friday September 23 from 2-4pm and from 6-8 pm. A Service in Celebration of Craig’s Life will be held in the Joseph E. Hagan Memorial Chapel at Joseph Gawler’s Sons on Saturday September 24, 2016 at 4 p.m. A second visitation will be held Monday from noon-1:45 p.m., at Akard Funeral Home in Bristol, TN, with a service immediately following in the funeral home chapel.

After the service, Mr. Orfield will be buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Bristol, VA along with the ashes of Kiri, his beloved Husky, and his final copy of The Washington Post.

And there, with the rugged Appalachian Mountains he so dearly loved standing watch, the self-styled "LBC" will take his rest. Those who were privileged to be touched by his ever-loyal soul will warmly remember the crinkling of his nose just before he laughed so freely, or the Paul Haveyesque "sigh" – whether spoken or typed.

They will also remember intense focus of the whole of his being when he was trying to be of help or comfort, which was the simple purpose of his lifetime of service – a Southern gentleman, who honored his mother and father, loved his family, and made the whole of mankind better for having been a part of it.

Pallbearers will be selected from family and friends.

Honorary pallbearers will be: Hon. Ryan Silvey, Hon. Christopher "Kit" Bond, Michael Mahaffey, Ryan Taylor, Eric Osborne, Andrew Osborne, Justin Osborne, Mary Leidig, Daniel L. Hayes, George Scott, Lise Cutshaw, Ron Scalf and Jon Ruetz.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, 3800 Spruce St., Philadelphia, Penn. 19104.

Arrangements under the direction of Joseph Gawler's Sons LLC, Washington, DC.