Former Dallas County Commissioner and DeSoto Mayor Roy Orr was a big name in Dallas politics and community involvement back in the 60s , 70s and 80s. He worked with business gurus and political types like Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. And like most politicians, he had his fans and critics like fellow Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price, who described him as “a snake since the day he was born.”
While Roy’s resume boasted politico highlights, he was on the executive committee of the Board of the Circle Ten Boy Scout Council and a member of the DeSoto Chamber of Commerce, Texas Research League, Oak Cliff Lions Club, Dallas Alliance, Dallas Assembly, DeSoto City Charter Commission, Advisory Board of Abilene Christian University and the board of the Medina Children’s Home.
His hometown of DeSoto even had the Roy Orr Trail named after him, while Grand Prairie branded a major street with Roy Orr Boulevard.
As his family put it, “He was a remarkable man who could and would do all that was possible for his fellow man. He was loved, he was admired, and all who knew him respected him. He was always there for his friends and his family. One could have no better friend or mentor than Roy Orr!”
In 1952 Roy married Janice Gallagher Orr, who died this past November. Both Janice and Roy were lifelong DeSoto residents. The two went to the same high school but didn’t start dating until after graduation. As Roy told Red Oak Now in 2011, “My class at Lancaster High School had six people in it. I tell everyone I was sixth in my class, and they think I’m a genius.”
At the age of 83, Roy joined Janice on Friday, January 29. Funeral services will take place at Brown Street Church of Christ in Waxahachie on Tuesday, February 2, at 1 p.m.
Our condolences to the entire Orr family and the countless folks who benefited from Roy’s life.