Christian County judge dies at 54

Christian County Circuit Judge Mark Orr died June 1 after a battle with cancer. He was 54.

Visitation is scheduled 5-8 p.m. this evening at First Baptist Church of Ozark, 1400 W. Jackson St. A funeral service is slated for 11 a.m. tomorrow at the Ozark church, followed by the burial at Ozark City Cemetery, according to Orr's obituary at Adams Funeral Home. Orr's wife, Sarah, serves as funeral director at the family-owned Adams Funeral Home.

Orr was elected to the Christian County seat in 2006 and re-elected in 2012 for a term ending in 2018. He served in the seat until his death.

After earning his juris doctor from the University of Missouri in 1986 and being admitted to the Missouri Bar that same year, Orr worked as a law clerk for the Missouri Court of Appeals Southern District before joining the Pool, Smith and Wieland law firm in Springfield. In 1988, Orr opened his own private practice on the square in Ozark, where he worked 14 years. He was elected prosecuting attorney for Christian County in 1994 and had served as city attorney for Ozark and as municipal judge for Clever, according to his obituary.

Orr also was a member of the Circuit Judges Association, the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association and a member and past president of the Christian County Bar Association. He held a bachelor's degree from Drury University and also taught classes at the Springfield college as an adjunct instructor.

Orr is survived by his wife and two daughters, Emily, 14, and Mary, 4, as well as his sister and several other family members.[[In-content Ad]]