In Memory

John L Ordway

John L Ordway

      John L. Ordway 

John passed away on August 14, 2019. He was a native of Battle Creek, Michigan and a resident of Walla Walla, Washington. The world said goodbye to a friendly smile, a generous heart and an adventurous soul. From his childhood years on, John was spirited and curious. At the age of 18, he joined the Air Force and headed west on the grand adventure that would lead to meeting the love of his life, Noralea Hutchins. They married on August 4, 1967 and launched into parenting, welcoming their first-born, Jenifer, in 1969 and Julie in 1970. Their only son Jason arrived in 1975. Following his service in the Air Force, in April of 1970 he joined the Walla Walla Fire Department where he happily shared life and career with his fire-crew for the next 32 years, whom he loved like family. His friends knew him as the one always up for a trip to the mountains or dunes to ride ATVs or a cross country adventure on motorcycles. He was the first to help a friend in a time of need. You’d always find John with a carefree jolly laugh, a soda in one hand and the steering wheel of his current favorite rig in the other. His grandkids will remember trips to the mini mart for a soda and treat. He was always willing to share whatever he had with others. A familiar quote from him was, “I just want to do the right thing.” We all knew he loved us deeply and we grieved to watch him struggle with memory loss in his last few years of life. We celebrate knowing John is with his savior Jesus and in heaven for which he long awaited. Survivors included John’s wife, Noralea; his children, Jenifer Washburn, Julie Mullins and Jason Ordway; and his grandchildren, Christopher Boettcher, Tessa Boettcher, John Washburn, Christopher Washburn, Mickenzie Mullins, Macy Mullins, Caleb Ordway, Emet Ordway, Anna Ruth Ordway, and Grace Ordway; his mother, Aola; and his sister, Donna. He lived fully. He laughed often. And he finished his race well. To our dad, grandpa, husband and friend, we’ll see you on the other side.

Information from the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin, Walla Walla, Washington online on August 19, 2019 website https://www.union-bulletin.com/obituaries/john-ordway/article_4e09b004-c29b-11e9-a7c2-77c1695fde4a.html



 
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12/18/19 09:13 AM #1    

Richard (Rick) Barber

John was one of my best friends in HS. We worked on his cars and scooters. We enjoyed a lot of time together. I was wondering what happened to him recently.

I met his wife early in their together life and communicated for a number of years over email. But at some time those communications stopped and I lost touch with him.

Rest In Peace John,


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