The Rev. Orville Emery

The Rev. Orville Jesse Emery, age 84, triumphantly left this life Friday, March 7, 2008, after a short but fierce battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Orville's last days were spent receiving loving medical attention from the ICU personnel at the VA hospital in Cheyenne, as well as the loving care administered by the staff at the Fort Collins Care Center. In addition, Orville's last days on this Earth were enriched by interactions with immediate family members and numerous special friends. Orville was born Oct. 19, 1923, to loving parents Leonard and Edna Emery in Backus, Minn. He was the second born of seven children, six boys and one girl. Anyone who knew Orville clearly recognized his strength in leadership, his unmatchable work ethic and his dogged determination to teach and preach God's word and invite all to accept Christ as personal Lord and Savior. Throughout his life, Orville had the privilege of pastoring churches in Colorado, Texas, Alaska and most recently Wyoming. Orville was a faithful and loving husband to his wife, Vivian, until her death in 2006 and father to five children, Gloria Huffman of Garland, Texas, husband Bob, Gary Emery of Fort Collins wife Paula, Dan Emery of Fort Collins wife Joan, Phil Emery of Red Feather Lakes wife Connie and James Emery of Fort Collins. Orville was the proud grandfather of 11 grandchildren; and the great-grandfather to eight great-grandchildren. Orville proudly served his country in World War II as Merchant Marine from 1943 to 1946, traveling and delivering needed supplies to battle ships as well as other supplies delivered by contract through the Merchant Marines, and traveling by ship to places such as the Philippines, Central and South America as well as up and down the West Coast of the U.S. Orville's interests included big game hunting, fishing as long as he did not have to catch and release, camping in the Rockies, exploring on his ATV and traveling throughout the United States visiting family and fellow pastors. Orville was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Edna Emery; a brother, Lawrence; and a brother, Dwight; and is survived by siblings, Anna Belle, Don, Clifford and Ron; as well as his immediate family mentioned above. He will be sorely missed but will remain a fixture in our memories and a powerful Christian influence in the lives of all who knew and loved him. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Bethel Baptist Church, 833 S. Taft Hill Road. Interment will follow at Lakeview Cemetery, Windsor. Pastor Mark Leverett and Pastor Richard Konnerup will officiate at the service. A visitation will be held from 4 and 7 p.m. Tuesday at Bohlender Funeral Chapel. Contributions may be made to the Baptist Bible Fellowship Missions in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel. Friends may send condolences to the family at www.bohlenderfuneralchapel.com .