Michael Edward Orr was born Nov. 13, 1952, in Kellogg, Idaho. He went home to God from University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle May 24, 2006, after a heroic battle with leukemia. He is survived by his wife, Kathryn Rogers Orr, daughter Diana and son Kevin of Richland, son Jerimy and Jessie of Bothell, WA, his parents, Robert and Audrey Orr of Kennewick, brother James and Ann Orr of Bothell, sister Kathy and Randy Yeats, sister Colleen and Walter Kopf, sister-in-law Beverly Orr, sister-in-law Beth and Ken Hofstad of Richland, sister-in-law Karen Rogers of West Richland, 9 nephews and 4 nieces, and the greatest grandchildren in the world Jerimy's son, Eric Michael Orr of Oroville, and Diana's daughter, Brooklynn Cain of Richland. Mike was predeceased by his brother, Russell, by 6 months. At the age of 10, his parents moved to the Tri-Cities. Mike attended school in Kennewick and was a member of the first graduating class of Kamiakin High School in 1972. He was the oldest of 5 children and was a great big brother to his siblings. His parents became active square dancers, and Mike learned to dance at age 16, to avoid having to babysit. He danced with the teen square dance club, the Teen 8-ers, and the Prairie Shufflers Square Dance Club. He enjoyed rock climbing, and riding dirt bikes. He married Tina Miller and soon baby Jerimy was born. Mike struggled to find a way to support his young family, wanting to be an electrician like his father. He managed to find an electrical contractor willing to train him if he was willing to work hard. He soon learned the trade, wiring apartments and houses as a Residential Wireman. He studied hard and then took his journeyman test to be a licensed electrician and a member of IBEW Local 112. The union hall sent him to work for Total Electric, where he worked happily for many years. Through Total Electric, Mike made several contacts with Exxon Nuclear. Eventually he was offered a position with the Exxon as a maintenance electrician. Mike really enjoyed working with groups of people after working alone for so many years. He was diagnosed with throat cancer and went thru surgery in Seattle and radiation therapy at the Tri-Cities Cancer Center. His employer stood behind him and welcomed him back as soon as possible, keeping him in touch with what was happening and giving him hope and purpose. He moved to an engineering assistant position with what became known at Siemans, Framatone, and now Areva. He was a honest, hard working employee and a heck of a cribbage player. Mike married Kathy Rogers Sepember 25, 1981, and they had two children, Diana and Kevin Orr while living in Richland. He looked forward to the holidays when he visited with eldest son, Jerimy. Mike encouraged Kathy to learn to square dance, which she grew to love. They spent many weekends dancing with the Prairie Shufflers or other local clubs. He joined a younger, livelier group of dancers, the Spokane Rowdies, who still meet back in Spokane once a year. Mike looked forward to the fellowship at the dances and especially the after parties. He took his turn working on committees for the Prairie Land Co., the Prairie Shufflers Square Dance Club, and the Blue Mountain Council and Wash. State Square Dance Assoc. Mike had one of the earliest personal computers, and was a love of programming and gaming. He was a member of the earliest bulliten boards and always had the best internet connection available. He truly enjoyed being involved in the evolution of computers and all things involving technology. Mike pursued interests and kept in touch with friends online. He appreciated accessing information via the internet, like snow conditions at White Pass or show times at the movie theaters. When Kevin and Diana learned to snow ski at Bluewood, Mike decided to give it a try. He loved it and soon took the family to White Pass, Silver Mountain. An annual train trip to Big Mountain, Montana, provides some fond memories. He was a member of the Desert Ski Club of the Tri-Cities. His earlier love of dirt bikes, lead to a street bike in the early 80's. Recently, he rode ATV's with son Kevin and grandson Eric. Finally he bought a Harley-Davidson to ride with friends, including his buddy, Vern. Mike never missed the hydroplane races cheering on the big red Budweiser team with family and friends from their campsite in Columbia Park. Mike was always willing to help friends and family with their computers and home electrical repairs. He loved being with family and friends, for family celebrations and the Annual Orr Family Campout, the Rogers Family Christmas Eve party, and Spokane Salmon Bar-B-Q. He attended many live country concerts over the years, and was a big Terri Clark fan. He loved his family, especially his children and grandchildren. A true fan, he spent every Seahawk Sunday watching the game with Bob and Russell. The Orr boys attended one game each season. Mike finally saw his beloved Seattle Seahawks football team go to the Super Bowl. Miracles do happen! Mike's leukemia was diagnosed summer of 2005. Mike spent the rest of the year preparing for another fight with cancer. He worked with the local doctors and his employer, before moving into Jim Orr's home near Seattle to prepare for a stem cell transplant in December. He worked closely with Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and University of Wash. Medical center for treatment and support. His full time job was managing his medications and nutrition. He faced these challenges, and fought hard right to the end. His computer savvy allowed him to continue to keep in touch. He loved receiving e-mail messages from friends and family, especially the photo and video updates on the apple of his eye, 2 year old granddaughter, Brooklynn, who called him papa. Please join the family for a celebration of Mike's life at 2pm on Thursday, June 1st, at West Highlands Methodist Church on Union in Kennewick. Internment will take place later at Vista View Cemetary. In lieu of flowers, please donate in his name to the Tri-City Cancer Center or a charity of your choice. We'll miss you Mikey.