Obituary of Charlie Donald Orender

Charlie Donald Orender was born on January 11, 1937, in Peoria, Arizona to Charlie and Stella Orender. He spent his early school years in Delano, California. They spent many years in California where his parents worked with the crops. Later they returned to Inola where his grandparents still lived.

Once back in Inola, Don spent most of his time hunting. He could tell you every pond in the area where you could get the most ducks. He loved to trap, hunt, and fish. He also played basketball for Inola High School. He was very fond of all his teammates and was so proud that they were in the state finals in 1955. They lost by one point, but he always noted that the other team brought in a player who had been in the Army. He owned one of the first letter jackets given in Inola and donated it to the school. He graduated in 1955.

Don met the love of his life, Opal Faye Townsley in Claremore, Oklahoma. They were married on October 7, 1955, in San Antonio, Texas where Don was stationed in the Army. While there, their first son Rodney Alan was born. When he left the Army, they returned to Oklahoma and two more sons, Jeff and Calvin, were born. They spent 64 happy years together until Opal's death in 2019.

Don spent most of his career working for the railroad. He retired from Southern Pacific Railroad where he had worked for many years. He got interested in genealogy and learned that Orenders moved to Inola in 1912. He was proud to say that there have been Orenders in Inola for over 100 years. After retirement he and Opal loved to go to garage sales. He often found items that he could fix up and make them look better than new. They also took care of their grandchildren and great grandchildren. Don would sing them silly songs and build them outdoor playhouses. All the grands and great grands were devoted to both he and Opal. He was a kind and loving soul who would do whatever he could for those around him. He often spent time helping out his neighbors and other family.

Don loved his family. He spent many hours taking his boys and their friends hunting. He taught them all how to hunt and how to be good men. He cherished those memories as he got older.

Don is preceded in death by his wife Opal, parents, Charlie and Stella Orender and sister Barbara Vaught. He is survived by his sister, Patricia Dunham, of Inola, his sons, Rodney Alan Orender and wife Jeannie of Claremore, Jeffrey Randall Orender and wife Nakita, Calvin Wane Orender and wife Beth all from Inola. His grandchildren are Jennifer Vickrey and husband Jason, Joshua Orender and wife Allison, Trisha Miller and husband Sean, Tiffany Farrar and husband Tyler, Jodi Cox and husband Kirby, Ross Orender and wife Karlie and Tessa Orender. There are 14 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren from this union. Don will be greatly missed by all who knew him.