Kenneth Orrell, Sr.

Kenneth Jay Orrell Sr., 80, of Beeville, died Monday, Nov. 26, 2012. Mr. Orrell was born Oct. 2, 1932, in New Orleans, La., to Hazel (Labit) and Thomas Edward Orrell. He married Sara Smith in Fort Worth on July 31, 1953, and was a retired meter technician and city/county fire marshal. He was a member of St. Philip's Episcopal Church, the Beeville Volunteer Fire Department, was father of the fire department, guest instructor for Texas A&M Fire School for more than 35 years, one of the founders of the Volunteer Ambulance Service, a founder of the Community Blood Bank, one of the originators of Bee County Western Week, and was designated "Man of the Year" by the Bee County Chamber of Commerce. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Craig Allen Orrell; two brothers, Thomas Edward Orrell Jr. and Elliott Orrell; and a son-in-law, Frank Belcher. Survivors include his wife, Sara Orrell of Beeville; children, Kenneth Jay Orrell Jr. and Kathryn Orrell Belcher, both of Beeville, and Krystal Roddy (Ben) Gamel of Papalote; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, at Galloway & Sons Funeral Home. The funeral service will be conducted Friday morning, Nov. 30, at 10 o'clock at First Baptist Church with Rev. Clayton Elder and Rev. Bill Stockton officiating. Burial will follow in Beeville Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be the members of the Beeville Volunteer Fire Department. Memorial donations may be made to the Beeville Volunteer Fire Department Scholarship Fund. Galloway & Sons Funeral Home Copyright 2012 mySouTex.com. All rights reserved.