John H. Orr, Jr - August 15, 1938 - March 11, 2009
The associates and employees of Pettigrew are saddened by the loss of John H. Orr, Jr. For 54 years John was the creative engine at Pettigrew. He left this world doing what he loved the most, working hands-on with a customer on a custom chair project.
In 1975 Jack Pettigrew named John Orr President. Since that time he grew the business into the industry leader he envisioned. John was always clear that we are all to continue his legacy at Pettigrew and within the Dallas design community.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at Restland Wildwood Chapel, the Reverend Stephen Waller of St. Thomas the Apostle Episcopal Church officiating. Paul J. Williams delivered the eulogy and the music of Cole Porter brought smiles and tears. Burial followed at Restland Cemetery adjacent to the chapel.
A visitation was attended by John's family and friends and loyal employees on Monday, March 16, 2009 at Restland Funeral Home.
Please read the Dallas Morning News obituary and sign the guestbook.
Please remember John with your gift to the charity of your choice.
Jon
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Reader Comments (12)
Mr. Orr was an extraordinary man. He had a way of turning grit into gold and good into great. Especially when it came to his employees.
Mr. Orr, you will be missed.
And may there always be a table waiting for you at Mama's Daughter's.
The passing of John Orr will be a great loss to the design district of Dallas. And, his "family" at Pettigrew Associates will miss him greatly as the "head of their household".
May peace and comfort embrace the family of John Orr and those he left behind at Pettigrew.
John,
Your smile and laughter will be missed. Our lunches and talks at Mother's Daughter's I will cherish. The world has lost a great designer, friend and businessman.
John,
Your talent and friendship will be missed.Your vision to put Dallas Design on the map will always be known. You have left a great legacy and Dallas should be honored to have had you as a visionary. Your commitment for design and detail will be greatly missed.
I have fond memories of John, having worked for him for 12 years. The world is a little more empty without him.
I have worked at Pettigrew for 8 1/2 years.John was a good man.I liked the stories that he would tell.I am sure you heard them.You know the ones about the Kings and Queens.I like to hear of all the great places of the world and what better man to have told them than Mr.John H.Orr.A man with great knowledge.It has been a privilege to have worked under such a good man.He was a leader of men here at Pettigrew.So in a way he was our King.He will truely be missed. Paul Barrett
John was the most generious person I have know. He always thought of others first before himself. The first job he assigned to me when I was elected to the Dallas City Council in 2001 was to get his friend Vivian Bush's house finished in the Tenth Street Historic district. He was a true friend. When I approached him about space for my Mayoral campaign, He did not hesitate. He moved the furniture from his show room and opened his arms to welcome us. He was my biggest fan and supporter. I will really miss him. Ed Oakley
John was a mentor, confidant and friend to me since 1987. I love this man and will miss him. Words can not express the loss I feel in my life, so I can only imagine the void he leaves in the lives of others. Dallas will never be the same.
We would like to express our heartfelt condolences to the family,
associates and friends of Mr. John Orr.
Mr. Orr has been a very loyal partner of our company, Furnitureville Inc.
Pettigrew and Associates and Furnitureville Inc. have been partners for
almost two decades. My parents, Flor and Mel looked at Mr. Orr, better known
as John as a father, older brother, mentor and critic. John painstakingly
taught us the right approach to furniture construction and design. Every time
we are experiencing sales shortage due to recession and slow market sales, I
remember my parents telling us that there is no need to worry. All we have
to do is call John. More often than not, after each phone call, a few weeks
after, we get emails from him or from Mr. Jon Beasley sending us a Purchase
Order. Whenever calamity strikes in the Philippines, he never missed sending
emails to us asking about our condition and our people.
I remember during the times that I visited Pettigrew in Dallas, it was Sir
John who personally picked us up at the airport and even drove us to our
hotel. For somebody who is very busy and accomplished as Mr. John Orr, it
was very humbling for him to do that to us. And during our stay in Dallas,
he made sure that if he cannot attend to us, somebody like his good friend
and associate, Mr. Jon Beasley is there to look after us.
We met Mr. John Orr as client. But he turned out to more of a family to us.
He is the best client, the best American we have ever met. We never felt
that the difference in our color and stature in life is a hindrance to being
part of the Pettigrew family.
All the staff of Furnitureville Inc together with their respective families
are very saddened to hear of this great loss. We will surely miss somebody
who has time and again been our savior during times of crisis in our
business.
We offer our prayers for Mr. John Orr. May God be with him. May he rest in
peace. We also pray for his family, associates and friends that they may
overcome this tragic day.
God bless John. God bless us all.
From Jojo and your Furnitureville family
I just wanted to give my condolences to all at Pettigrew for the
passing of my Uncle Johnnie. May he rest in peace.
To the employees & friends of my Uncle John. My sympathy is with you. He was truly a wonderful man.
John was my great uncle on my fathers side. Although I only met him as a child I would love to hear from anyone about the stories he would tell I hope his soul rests well Happy to know he was loved. God Bless you all Rachel