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ORRELL -- Ernest G. Orrell died in Denver, CO on April 28, 2007 after a lengthy battle with a rare neuro-muscular disease. Ernie was born in Muskogee, OK on July 19, 1931. He was the only son of Ula Jay and Lilian Cleo Orrell. After graduating high school in Muskogee, Oklahoma he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served in Puson, Korea. He returned to Oklahoma and graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Geology. After graduation he married Connie Orrell Dixon and moved to Grants, NM where they raised their three children. After 19 years, Ernie was promoted to a position in Oklahoma City where he worked for a year. While located there he met Robbie Routon whom he married in 1982. In 1980 he was transferred to Glenrock, WY where he was the Manager of the Kerr-McGee Bill Smith Mine until his retirement in 1988. Ernie and Robbie made their home in Glenrock for 22 years. While a member of Glenrock Masonic Lodge 22, he served as a Past Master and received his 50 years of service pin award. He also became a member of the Scottish Rite in the Shriners. His public service in the community included serving several years on the Town Council and the board of the Converse County Coalition Against Family Violence. After his retirement from Kerr-McGee, he was appointed to the position of County Treasurer of Converse County, where he served for 12 years until his illness forced him to retire. In 2004 Ernie and Robbie moved to Colorado. Ernie spent the last two years of his life in the Fitzsimmons Veterans and State Nursing Facility in Aurora, CO. Ernie persevered with great courage while fighting his devastating illness and was a great inspiration to others. While at the facility, he continued to help others by serving as President of the Residents Council and on an ombudsman committee for the Governor of Colorado. He also devoted time to reading to the developmentally disabled, the blind and pre-school children. Ernie was a man of great humor and wit and had a larger than life personality. He was devoted to his wife and loved spending time with all their children and grandchildren. His other interests in prior years included fishing, hunting, and writing. Ernie was preceded in death by his parents; and one son, Eric Routon. He is survived by his wife, Robbie Orrell, CO; his son, Dale Orrell and daughter-in-law, Laura, Anchorage AK; his daughter, Laura Leinneweber and son-in-law, Mike, Capitan, NM; his daughter, Diane Orrell Lopez and son-in-law, Al, Albuquerque, NM; his son, Wayde Routon and daughter-in-law, Helen, Seattle, WA; his daughter, Pamela Hamar and son-in-law, Jeff, Castle Rock, CO; his grandchildren, Bryan Routon, Mike Routon, Mark Routon of Seattle; McKensey, Wyatt Nall, Capitan, NM; Hadley and Taylor Hamar of Castle Rock, CO. Ernie was a wonderful father, grandfather, and husband. He will be missed by all his family and friends. Donations to the Muscular Dystrophy Association or the Cerebral Palsy Association would be greatly appreciated by the family. A Memorial will be held in Glenrock, Wyoming on June 2, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. in the Middle School auditorium located at 645 South 3rd Street. There will be a luncheon immediately after the Service at the school kitchen facilities. The burial will be performed by the Masonic Lodge 22 of Glenrock at 2:00 p.m. at the Glenrock, Cemetery on 800 S 4th Street. The family also plans a Memorial Service at a later date in Grants, NM.
        Published on: Sun May 20, 2007