Thomas E. Orrison

ORRISON, Thomas E. - Age 78, a resident of Flint, died Thursday, May 20, 2004 at Genesys Health Park.  Mr. Orrison was born in Flint, May 30, 1925, the son of James and Lula (Tippy) Orrison.  He has been a Flint area resident for many years.  He and Norma Osborn were married in Fostoria, Michigan July, 15, 11944.  Mr. Orrison retired from General Motors Fisher Body Division in 1982 after 36 ï¿Â½,«  years service.  He was a veteran of the Merchant Marines and the U.S. Coast Guard, serving in WWII.  He was a member of the Bristol United Methodist Church, the UAW Local 581 and the American Legion Flint Post #342.  Mr. Orrison loved lighthouses, Sunday drives to Port Huron to watch the freighters and other ships pass by.  Surviving are: his wife, Norma; 2 sons, Thomas Orrison Jr. and wife Nancy of Flushing, and Gary Orrison and wife Judy of Ossian, Indiana; 6 daughters; Joan Leonard and husband Robert of Flint, Janice Sich of Safety Harbor, Florida, Jill Snover of Flushing, Joy LeClear and husband Robert of Lynnville, Tennessee, Jayne Steel and husband Kevin of Saginaw, and Janene LeClear and husband Terry of Flint; 16 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; a sister, Anna Mae Berlin of Vassar.  Mr. Orrison was preceded in death by his parents; 2 daughters, Jacklyn Orrison and Julie Steel; 3 grandsons, Thomas Orrison III, Robert Leonard Jr. and Gary Orrison Jr.; brothers, Junior, James, Charles and Robert Orrison.  Services will be 11:30AM Tuesday, May 25, 2004 at the Sharp Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Rev. Olaf R. Lidums will officiate.  Cremation will follow the services with interment of the cremated remains at a later date at Evergreen Cemetery.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home Sunday from 6-9 PM and Monday from 12 noon to 4 and 6-8 PM.  Memorials in his name may be directed to the American Cancer Society or to the Bristol United Methodist Church.  Remember me with smiles and laughter, for that is how I will remember you all. If you can only remember me with tears, then don't remember me at all.  Friends may share online condolences with the family at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com