Orris F. Smallwood's Obituary
SMALLWOOD, Orris F., age 93, of Centerville, passed away Friday, March 29, 2024, at his residence.
Orris honorably served in the United States Marines during the Korean Conflict. He retired in 1988 as a Stationary Steam Engineer from General Motors. In addition, earlier in his working career he worked several years at NCR.
Family-oriented, caring, helpful, and giving, Orris loved, especially his grandchildren, and never hesitated to offer sound advice and assistance to his children. He loved spending time in the outdoors, especially when crappy fishing from his boat. He was quite talented at fishing and always caught enough to share with family, friends, and even the community. When fishing, he wasn’t one to simply sit back and let the fish come to him, but rather always working the rod and reel to entice the fish. He made his lures and jigs and collected nearly 10,000 of them over the years. Family humorously recalls that if Orris wasn’t working or actively fishing, he was sitting at the kitchen table making a jig. In addition to fishing, Orris also enjoyed caring for the backyard birds and raising flowers in his home flower beds. He was an avid reader, but for knowledge instead of leisure. He read the newspaper daily and subscribed to Outdoor Life and other publications that he could learn from. He would often highlight and cut out material to share and benefit family members.
Orris enjoyed several traditions during his 93 years. He and his wife spent the winters in Florida at Lake Okeechobee, mostly fishing of course. When the kids were growing up, they owned a place on the Cumberland River and would spend every other week boating by day and sitting around a campfire eating hot dogs and sharing stories during the evenings. They spent a week back home in order to tend to the garden and then traveled back to the river to continue their summer adventure. They had a group of friends, mostly comprised or Orris’ NCR work buddies, that would join them around the campfire each evening, which resulted in numerous fond memories. Among many things, Orris will be remembered for leaving each grandchild with a memorable fishing story.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver and Anna Smallwood, two brothers, Clyde and Joe Smallwood, and his sister, Jean Baughman. He is survived by his wife of nearly 70 years, Patricia; four children, Dean (Maureen) Smallwood, Connie Smallwood, Dale Smallwood, and Phillip (Sally) Smallwood; five grandchildren, Jessica (Colin) Johnston, Alicia Smallwood, Nicole (Chris) Yerkins, Lucas Smallwood, and Denille (Alan) Biddy; and great-grandson, William.
Private family services. Burial will be in Bellbrook Cemetery. Conner & Koch Funeral Home in Bellbrook is serving the family. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers contributions in Orris’ memory made to the Bellbrook Presbyterian Refurbish the Bell fund. Condolences at www.stubbsconner.com.
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