Ronald Orr
courtesy photo
Ronald Orr
ST. IGNATIUS — Ronald Lee Orr, 63, of St. Ignatius, passed away on Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, at his home in St. Ignatius, surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on April 6, 1958, at Holy Family Hospital in St. Ignatius to Ike and June (Wheeler) Orr. He graduated from St. Ignatius High School in 1977. Ron lived his whole life in the Mission Valley except for a short stint in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Ron was a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe. His passion for logging spanned throughout his life. He worked for George Biggs Logging before he started working alongside his brothers, Chuck and George, (Orr Logging). He also worked in logging with his uncles Tom Wheeler, John Wheeler and Dennis Wheeler. Ron was employed at Tribal Forestry before his health forced him to retire.
He took great pride in taking care of his yard. His other passions were spending time with family at family dinners, camping, hunting, and keeping us in laughter telling stories. Ron also loved to spoil his nephews and nieces.
His parents Ike and June Orr precede him in death.
Survivors include his brothers and hunting partners, Chuck Orr and George Orr; his sisters, Julie (Larry) Wilkinson, Tracy Orr, Barbara Orr, and Brenda (Jess) Dillard. He is also survived by his nephews and nieces, Jason and Justin Orr, Kevin Wilkinson and Staci (Alex) Ebadirad, Jennifer, Ethan, Megan, Amy, Alyssia and Brianna Dillard and his great-nephews and niece, Lucas, Courtnae and Leo Wilkinson.
We want to acknowledge his other family, Uncle Bob and Aunt MaryAnn Weingart, who Ron considered as his other mom and dad; his cousins (brothers and sisters), Rob Weingart, Dee Dee Weingart, Terri Biggs, Linda Jacobson, Lisa Jacobson, Kelly Anderson, and Steven Weingart.
Others that survive Ron are his uncles, Tom and Dennis Wheeler; his aunts, Jeannine Wheeler and Connie Sutten; and his cousins from the Orr, Wheeler, Cote and Felsman side of the family.
A rosary will be held on Thursday, Oct. 21, at 7 p.m. and Mass will be said on Friday, Oct. 22, at 11 a.m. at the St. Ignatius Catholic Church with Father Craig Hightower S.J. officiating. Burial will follow at the St. Ignatius Catholic Cemetery. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at: www.lakefuneralhomeandcremation.com.
A special thank you goes to Ron’s medical caregivers, Dr. Siobahn Lynch and staff at Community Center in Missoula; and staff at Dialysis Clinic, Inc., in Polson, Sheila Vine, Jennifer Harris and Cissy Robertson.
We will always be thankful for the compassion and care that he was given.
Arrangements are under the care of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.
