Orin R. Currie
1920 — 2015
Orin R. Currie, 95, of Bartlesville, died on Sunday, September 20, 2015. Orin was born on July 23, 1920, in Loretta, Nebraska, son of George W. Currie and Lena Kruse Currie. He graduated from Wheeler County High School in Bartlett, Nebraska, in 1939, and then worked on the family farm for a year before beginning studies at Wayne State College. In July 1943, Orin entered the Navy’s officer candidate training program and, after being commissioned, served in the Pacific. Following his discharge from the Navy, Orin finished his college education at the University of Nebraska where he received his degree in Chemical Engineering in June 1948.
Orin married Marjorie (Marge) Johnston on June 25, 1949, in Lincoln, Nebraska. They made their first home in Borger, Texas, where Orin began working for Phillips Petroleum. Orin and Marge moved to Bartlesville in 1956. He spent much of his career with Phillips working in environmental engineering. In his spare time, Orin was involved with family activities, gardening, Meals on Wheels, Society of Professional Engineers, and the Republican Party. After his retirement in 1984, the Curries enjoyed traveling, spending time with their children and grandchildren, and continuing to be loyal Cornhusker fans.
Orin enjoyed serving at Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church as an elder, lay reader, prayer group member, and in many other ways. In a recent interview by the Eisenhower Library about his Navy days, Orin was asked how he wanted to be remembered. He answered “as a faithful Christian.” He will indeed be remembered that way.
Orin is preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie Currie; a brother Ralph Currie and sisters Irene Currie and Marion Briese. He is survived by two daughters, Kathleen Johnson of Oklahoma City and Marcia Howard (James) of Dallas, Texas; one son, Randall Currie, of Edmond; a grandson Scott (Leia) Johnson of Belleville, Illinois; a granddaughter Katherine Johnson of Chicago, Illinois; and two great-grandsons Will and Ben Johnson of Belleville, Illinois. He is also survived by brothers Wayne Currie of Norfolk, Nebraska, and Roger Currie of Elgin, Nebraska, and sister Lucille Norris of Greeley, Nebraska.
A service in celebration of his life was held at Thursday, September 24, 2015, at Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church with Dr. Dale Scott officiating. Private interment was at the Memorial Park Cemetery directed by Stumpff Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established and those who wish may send contributions to Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, 801 SE Washington Blvd., Bartlesville, Oklahoma, 74005.