James Marion Orr

James Marion Orr, 92, formerly of Libby, died on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022 at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula.

He was born May 29, 1930, to James M. and Anna (Porter) Orr, in McGinnis Meadows, Montana. Due to rain and high waters that washed out the bridge to town, the doctor’s arrival was delayed until May 31.

Marion attended a one-room schoolhouse in the Meadows through the eighth grade. He moved into Libby, Montana, to finish schooling, graduating from Libby High School in 1948. This was an answer to his mother’s request, as none of his seven older siblings had gone through high school.

Following high school, he worked in logging camps and on road construction jobs.

He met and married Jeanine West on Nov. 5, 1950. Together they welcomed three sons, Scott, Dwayne, D.C. and one daughter, Marjean.

From road construction, he worked ranching. For a time, he was a Lincoln County Deputy and worked as an undersheriff. He was instrumental in forming Libby’s first ambulance service. He started his own excavation business with his son D.C. He retired in 1995.

In 1960, Marion took Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and served him through the remainder of his life. Due to his conversion, Marion and Jeanine were able to restore marital upset and they enjoyed another 30 years until Jeanine passed away in 1989.

He attended First Presbyterian Church of Libby for 30 years and was part of the Full Gospel Businessmen’s Association.

Marion met and married Diane Wisehart on Feb. 14, 1990. Together they served the Lord in several churches in Libby and Troy, Montana, until moving to Hall, Montana in 2008. They then moved to Missoula where they attended the Missoula Alliance Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Anna Orr; wife Jeanine Orr, daughter Marjean Orr, daughter-in-law Rita Orr, all seven of his siblings Edward, Bill, Helen Miller, Carl, Ray, Ellen Dryden Resch and Paul.

He is survived by his spouse Diane Orr; sons Scott and wife Bev; Dwayne and wife Kathy; and D.C. and wife Marianne; five grandchildren; Jen (Joe) O’Malley, Matt Orr, Jena Orr, Ashley (Doug) Deshazer and Adam Orr (Stacy); seven great-grandchildren Teague and Ireland O’Malley, Luke, Jace and Tristan Deshazer and Maizy and Evelynn Orr; stepchildren; Heather (Jim) Blom and Eric (Bleu) Wisehart; five step-grandchildren Kara (Chris) Santucci and Sydney (Armando) Inocensio, Reagan and Zane Blom, Ben (Kera) Wisehart, Atria Wisehart and one step great-granddaughter Isla Juniper Wisehart.

Services will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022, at the Libby Christian Church.

Arrangements are by Schnackenberg Funeral Home in Libby.

Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.