Orville Wilmington

Orville Robert Wilmington

June 4th 1938 – January 3rd 2023

Orville Robert Wilmington, a long-time resident of Lubbock TX, and a brief resident of Vancouver WA died

peacefully Tuesday, January 3rd, 2023, after a valiant fight against Parkinson’s for more than a decade. Orville

was born in Denver CO on June 4th, 1938, to Ruth Francis Christian and Wilbur Ernest Wilmington. Orville was

the eldest child with 4 siblings Vernon, Joyce, Betty, and Penny. Orville met the love of his life Judith Elizabeth

McCaslin on an elevator while working at the Denver Post during their high school years. Orville joined the

Navy and received training in electronics/communications systems. With time, Orville and Judith’s romance

grew and they married on December 13th, 1959. Together they had three energetic boys; two in Denver CO,

James Allan & Michael Robert, and Robert Paul after arriving in Lubbock TX in 1964.

Orville worked for Martin Marietta Corporation in Denver CO in support of the Apollo Space program then

moved to Lubbock TX. Orville thrived in Lubbock TX starting at Litton Industries, a large defense contractor,

and a 28-year career at AT&T where he retired in 2001. Orville had talented hands and explored life-long

passions of woodworking, electronics, auto mechanics, and construction ….. expressing his artistic talents

through a love of projects to create new things or fix almost anything. He created a greenhouse, a glassed-in

porch as well as a spa room. Orville once created a secret Santa workshop in his garage to build a delicate

doll house for Judith, a desire since her childhood. Orville instilled this passion for projects in his boys.

Orville was actively involved in Agape United Methodist Church for over 50 years, especially once he retired,

pouring his time and energy into keeping the church in good shape for all its members. Orville supported the

Agape Methodist men’s and Boy Scout Troop Christmas tree sales for many years. Orville volunteered to take

young boys 83 miles backpacking through the legendary Philmont scouting wilderness in northern New

Mexico. Orville expressed a calm demeanor most of the time even when his youngest son, accidentally caused

a 360-degree spin on a New Mexico highway, in a huge snowstorm in the middle of nowhere, as Orville said “I

think I will drive now.”

Judith had an outwardly expressive personality while Orville preferred a quiet role, never the center of

attention. An afternoon of shelling pecans with Mac, listening to the hustle and bustle of grandchildren, and

storytelling made for a wonderful day. Once his boys left home to pursue college, Orville enjoyed having a

high school exchange student, Sal, share their home as well as actively working with the Big Brother

organization as a mentor to several young men.

Orville traveled regularly in CO, TX, KS, and WA to visit friends and family. He enjoyed watching the grandkids

grow up as artistic, smart, and caring individuals that resulted from Judy and his relationship.

Orville underestimated the positive role he played in so many lives. His efforts ranged from helping his sons

maintain an elder care and lawn service, rebuilding engines, constructing a two-story clubhouse (from the

debris of the Lubbock tornado), activities at Agape, etc. all to help those around him.

Orville is survived by his three children: James and Cheryl Wilmington; Michael Wilmington; Robert and

Rhonda Wilmington; 11 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; his sister Penny Adel; his nieces and nephews;

as well as “adopted family” members he welcomed and embraced throughout his life.

The family requests in lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the American Windmill Museum

https://windmill.com, join the fight to help find a cure for Alzheimer’s https://www.alz.org, or join the fight to

help find a cure for Parkinson’s https://parkinsonhope.org.