Raymond Millard Orndorff

Today the world and our family mourn the loss of a truly extraordinary human being. We fondly refer to him as dad, Paw Paw Ray, Ray, Uncle Ray, Brother and so on. He was one of the good guys for sure.

Raymond Millard Orndorff, Jr., 82, of Bayboro passed away peacefully while in the loving care of the SECU Crystal Coast Hospice House which is in Newport, NC.

All who knew and loved him dearly will never forget his wit, aka Dad jokes, his smile, his tenacity for life, his deep and unconditional love for his children, family and friends, his love for God and his church and most of all his amazing strength. Honestly, anyone who had as many health issues as Raymond did, may have just gone quietly into the night, but not Raymond. He continued to amaze not only us but his doctors, nurses and even the nurses at the SECU Crystal Coast Hospice House to the very end with his strength and resolve to live. The way he left this world is exactly how he went about life; determined, strong, and resolute in his beliefs.

Raymond aka Dad was the first of six children born to the late Raymond and Sarah (Hotchkiss) Orndorff. He graduated from West View High School, Pittsburg, PA in 1957. It is here that Raymond met the true love of his life, the late Carol Ann (Schwertz) Orndorff. Throughout most of Raymond’s life he worked in the Food Services Management Industry and held management positions with such companies as Marriott Corporation, Peoples Drug Stores now CVS, Canteen Corporation Service America and with his own company, Orndorff and Associates. During this time period, Raymond served as President of the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington. He also served as Director of Sales and Marketing at Tri County Industries, Rocky Mount, NC in the late 1990s after which he began a new career as an Insurance Broker and owner of Lifemax Insurance, Bayboro, NC. He continued selling life insurance up until the day he died.

Raymond loved his family with his heart and soul, but he also loved his community. This was evident by his passion for the Virginia Elks Association where he rose through the ranks to be President. Raymond also served as the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Rotary (Rocky Mount) and Vice President of the Pamlico County Chamber of Commerce. He loved politics and the Republican Party and would volunteer to be a Poll Worker in his beloved town of Bayboro, NC. He loved his church, St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Oriental, NC and volunteered to teach a Wednesday Night Class. In addition to the above, Raymond was passionate about music of any kind. He sang in his church’s choir and was a member of a local Barber Shop Quartet. Raymond loved painting, dancing, the ocean, fishing, his birds, acting, and he loved dressing up as a clown for parades and special church functions. His true passions, however, were family and his beloved home he called Bear Creek.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his beloved brother, Ronald M. Orndorff, Leesburg, VA, his beloved sister, Georgia Lee Carder, Peoria, IL, his beloved Great Grandson, Christian Lee Collins, Spotsylvania, VA, and his beloved son-in-law and friend, Robert E. (Bob) Clouse, Pickerington, OH.

Raymond is survived by his two children, Douglas John (Linda) Orndorff of Spotsylvania, VA, and Debora Jean Clouse of Pickerington, OH, his brother, Eugene (Wilma) Orndorff of Damascus, MD, his brother, Donald (Duffy) Orndorff of Ellerslie, MD and his sister, Helen (James) Schoffstall, of Salisbury, MD.

Raymond lovingly referred to as Paw Paw Ray, was and will always be the proud grandfather of five handsome grandsons, Brian L. Collins, Myrtle Beach, SC, Douglas J. (Krystalynn) Orndorff, Jr., Zachary J. Clouse, Pickerington, OH, Tyler A. Clouse, Pickerington, OH and Joshua R. (Allison Lindsey) Clouse.

Raymond is also the proud Paw Paw of five handsome and beautiful great grandchildren, Devin C. Schmied, Myrtle Beach, Samantha L. (Chris) Wolfe, Wyatt J Clouse, Pickerington, OH, Mila M. Clouse, Pickerington, OH and one sweet bundle of joy (Baby Clouse) who is due in the fall.

We cannot stop there because we cannot leave out the fact that Raymond was also a great-great grandfather to handsome Joshua W. Beeson, Myrtle Beach, SC.

Though our hearts are aching, Dad/Raymond left us all with a ton of memories to cherish and nothing but love to hold on to. He was a leader, a teacher, a kind soul, enthusiastic in the things he loved, stronger than strong, a comedian, a dreamer and resilient, always, in the face of adversity. Simply put he was an amazing man.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2022, at 12:00 noon at the St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 402 Freemason Street, Oriental, NC 28571. The Reverend Bruce D. Cheney, Sr. (Father Bruce) will be officiating. A one-hour visitation starting at 11:00 a.m. will be held prior to the service. A reception in the Parish Hall will follow the service.

A separate Celebration of Life Service will be held in Manassas, VA where Raymond’s ashes will be interred with his late wife, Carole Ann Orndorff. The date is to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial donation to the SECU Crystal Coast Hospice House, 100 Big Rock Weigh, Newport, NC 28570.