Orin Ray Hulsey

Orin Ray Hulsey, 98, died in Amarillo, Texas, August 23, 2021.

Services will be at 10:00 AM Saturday, August 28, 2021 in Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel with the Reverend Ruby Moultrie, pastor of First United Methodist Church of Levelland, officiating. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors.

Orin was born January 9, 1923, in Canadian, Oklahoma, to Bertha and O.C. Hulsey. He grew up in Oilton, OK and graduated from Oilton High School in 1942. He entered the service in 1942 and served through 1946. He attended Central State College at Edmond, OK, graduating in 1952. He played football there until a knee injury ended his career.

Orin served in the Coast Guard during WWII on the USS Centaurus AKA 17 with his younger brother, Buren, and he was a landing craft pilot dispatching marines on beaches throughout their campaigns. His ship participated in seven invasions in the Pacific including Kwajalein, Los Negros, Aitape, Guam, Peleliu and Okinawa and made three refits in Pearl Harbor from kamikaze attacks and battle damage. They also made two trips to China after the war.

Orin married Jewell Gwendalyn Johnson of Tell, Texas on May 25, 1951. He was a teacher in Plainview for two years and was employed at the Celanese Chemical Plant from 1954 to 1987 and retired after 33 years of service. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Pampa for many years and attended Sunday School as well.

Orin was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He always had a smile on his face and kept a positive attitude about everything. He and Gwyn traveled extensively in their motorhome and later Airstream trailer. Granddaughter Marci enjoyed many trips with them to Colorado when she was young. Orin loved playing pinochle with his brothers and family every time he visited them in Oklahoma. He was a card-carrying member of the original Pampa Youth and Community Center where he worked out daily and talked to everyone who went there.

Orin was number 3 in a family of 6 boys and 1 girl. His siblings all had a nickname, and his nickname was Tubb because he was possibly a bit chubby. Everyone in the family called him Tubb including his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved to tell many funny stories about his grands to all of his friends while having morning coffee together. His grandson, Ryan, spent many Sunday afternoons watching the Dallas Cowboys with him. Orin loved watching all sports on television in his spare time. He was very proud that his youngest great grandson was named for him, Shiloh Orin.

Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife, Gwyn, 5 brothers, Howard, Garley, Buren, Ed, Buell and his sister, Oleta.

He is survived by his daughter, Judy Hansen and husband Chris; granddaughter, Marci Stellman and husband Dr. Christopher; grandson Ryan Hansen and wife Naomi; great grandchildren, Harper, Sawyer and Shiloh; brothers-in-law, L.N. Johnson and Joe B. Davis and numerous nephews and nieces.

A special thanks to Encompass Home Health and Hospice and Bristol Park Assisted Living and Memory Care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1981, Pampa, TX 79066.