Dr. Gary M. Orr

Funeral services celebrating the life of Dr. Gary M. Orr will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 13, 2025 at Southside Baptist Church, 7329 LA 509, Mansfield, Louisiana with Mitch Johnson and Bill Shetley officiating. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the church. 

Dr. Gary Maurice Orr, age 77, of Mansfield, Louisiana passed away on Saturday, February 8, 2025 in Shreveport, Louisiana. He was born in Gilmer, Texas on May 5, 1947 to Orvis Maurice and Esther Louise Orr.

Gary gave his heart to Jesus as a child. He was called to preach at age 14. His first preaching experiences were at the Highway 80 Rescue Mission in Longview, TX preaching once a week. He graduated from East Texas Baptist College (University) where he met the love of his life, Donna Brown. They married in 1969 and celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary December 22, 2024. In the following years, he pursued his Doctorate in Religious Counseling from Luther Rice Seminary. He has pastored in New Mexico, Louisiana, and Texas. During the years at Southside Baptist Church and Trinity Baptist Church, he made 3 mission trips to the Philippines and once to Africa. He pastored Trinity Baptist Church in Longview for 25 years and was pastor of Southside Baptist Church in Mansfield at the time of his death.

Gary, first and foremost, loved God’s Word in study and preaching. His second enjoyment was horses. He studied horse breeds and could tell, almost by sight and/or name who was their sire and dame. He was an avid rider, and he loved everything equestrian. Often, he found opportunities to witness for Jesus at a horse event.

There is absolutely no doubt of his love for his family, and we know we will see him again soon.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Donna Orr; sons, Tracey Maurice Orr, Stacey Davin Orr, and Terry Michael Orr; sister, Gail Figley and husband Charles; grandson, Ayden Maurice Orr; and nieces and nephews.

Honoring Gary as pallbearers will be Mark Koenig, Eric Moreno, Jarrell Gooden, Rod Stevens, Mike Curry, Wayne Williams, and David Welborn. Honorary pallbearers will be the men of Southside Baptist Church.

Later that afternoon there will be a visitation from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m., followed by the funeral service at 3:00 p.m., Thursday, February 13, 2025 at Lakeview Funeral Home, 5000 West Harrison Road, Longview, Texas. 

In lieu of flowers, the family prefer donations be made to the American Bible Society, or Gideons International.