John Orr was a graduate of Capitol Hill High School, Class of 1950 and the University of Oklahoma where he studied business. Upon graduation, he served in the United States Navy as naval aviator and then spent 22 years as the executive director of the Oklahoma Propane Gas Association. Following his service at the Propane Gas Association, John went on to serve as the business manager for Mummers Theatre in Oklahoma City.
Mr. Orr felt it was important that students obtain some kind of degree or advanced training beyond high school and was proud to do his part to help. In 2000, he established the Capitol Hill High School Scholarship endowment fund at the Oklahoma City Community Foundation. Once he made the initial gift to the fund, he then challenged his former classmates to contribute toward the fund, and in turn he would match their contributions. He was able to grow the fund into an annual scholarship for Capitol Hill High School students who wished to attend college in the state of Oklahoma.
In addition, Mr. Orr established a Donor-Advised fund with the Oklahoma City Community Foundation in 2003.