James
"Jim" Orpin
March 18,
1945 - January 21, 2011
James
"Jim" David Orpin, cherished father, grandfather, brother, husband,
and friend, of Denton, passed away early Friday morning, Jan. 21, 2011, at
Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Denton. A memorial service to celebrate
his life will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 25 at Mulkey-Mason Funeral Home, 705
N. Locust Street in Denton. Memorial and graveside services will be held
Saturday, Jan. 29 at Christian Church in Peabody, Kan.
Jim was born
March 18, 1945, in Fresno Calif., to David and Ethel Orpin. He grew up in
Newton, Kan., and was well known for pulling pranks with his younger brother
and partner-in-crime, John. Jim married his high school sweetheart, Ruth
Mathias, on September 24, 1968. Together the couple had three daughters,
Marcie, Lori and Lacy. Jim moved his family to Ponca City, Okla. for his
lifelong career as a computer programmer and mainframe expert. Jim and Ruth
moved to Texas in 1992, and he continued his career at Data Dallas, which later
became Republic Mailing.
A quiet,
humble man, Jim was known for his kindness and generosity to others. His
greatest joy in life was being a father to his three girls, and being involved
in every aspect of their lives. Whether he was coaching their softball, soccer
or basketball teams or cheering from the sidelines, his unwavering support and
love for them knew no limits. Aside from his own children, Jim was a father
figure for many other young people, whose lives have been forever touched by
having been on the receiving end of his love. In his later years, Jim took
immense pride in supporting the many activities of his grandchildren, Christian
and Cameron. He had a passion for fishing, reading, playing cards, working
crossword puzzles, watching NASCAR, John Wayne movies and his favorite
television show, NCIS, and doting on his dogs, Frankie and Jet. Jim was deeply
loved by his family and his loss has left an unimaginable void in their hearts.
"The greater the love, the greater the loss."
Jim was
preceded in death by his brother, John and his father, David. Survivors include
his mother, Ethel Orpin of Jacksonville, Ore.; sister, Kate Cook of Haysville,
Kan.; wife, Ruth, of Denton; daughters, Marcie Conrad and husband, Lance, of
Justin, Lori Goad and husband, Steve, of Denton, and Lacy Fenn and husband,
Jimmy of Flower Mound; his beloved grandchildren, Christian and Cameron Conrad;
and niece and nephew, Tara and Kiel Cook of Kansas.
The family
would like to give special thanks to the many doctors and nurses who provided
compassion and care throughout his battle with cancer and kidney disease. In
lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to honor Jim by making gifts to the
National Kidney Foundation, NKF Serving Texas Division Office, 5429 Lyndon B
Johnson Fwy Ste 250, Dallas, TX 75240-2617 or you can make an online donation
by visiting http://www.kidney.org/site/support/donat e.cfm?ch=406.
Online
condolences may be left at www.mulkeymasondenton.com.
