It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Jerry Lee Orf, 87, of Bakersfield, Missouri, who passed away peacefully at his home on August 22, 2026.
Jerry was born October 27, 1938, near Udall, Missouri, to Clarence Orf and Madge Thompson Roberts.
On October 27, 1966, Jerry married Paula Mae Adams in Polk City, Florida. They shared nearly 60 years of marriage and raised a family together. Paula preceded him in death on March 29, 2026.
Jerry proudly served his country for more than 30 years in the Army and Arkansas Army National Guard, including service during the Gulf War, and retired as a Staff Sergeant.
His life was marked by public service. Jerry served with the Polk City Police Department and as a Polk County Deputy Sheriff in Florida. In Missouri, he served as an Ozark County Deputy Sheriff and Bakersfield Town Marshal. He also served as Mayor of Bakersfield and on the Bakersfield School Board.
Jerry was devoted to his Christian faith and, since his salvation, maintained a lifelong connection to the Assemblies of God. He faithfully served the church as a deacon at Bakersfield Assembly of God and later at Pomona Assembly of God. His love for God and commitment to the church were important parts of his life.
He is survived by four children, Jerry Lee Orf II and wife Tronnia, Mansfield; Kimberly Dillinger and husband Michael, Pomona; Kelly Fowler and husband Randy, Bakersfield; and Kevin Orf, Bakersfield; and two sisters, Lola Johnston and Vicki Sutterfield, both of Bakersfield.
He is also survived by his grandchildren, Brittany Neal and husband Joseph, Mansfield; Rebekah Gray and husband Christian, Mansfield; Kyle Dillinger and wife Cassie, West Plains; Jonathan Dillinger and wife Alicia, West Plains; Tiffany Eagleman and husband Darrick, Caulfield; Jeremy Fowler, Caulfield; Nathan Fowler and wife Andrea, Bakersfield; Zachary Fowler and wife Sarah, Bakersfield; and Logan Collins, Shaylee Orf, and Joleah Orf, Gainesville.
His great-grandchildren are Brantley, Paisley, Sophia, and Harper Neal, Mansfield; Malachi, Evelyn-Katherine, and Micah Lee Gray, Mansfield; Hunter and Sawyer Eagleman, Caulfield; Riley Rae, Ember, and Theodore Dillinger, West Plains; and Josiah and Sadie Fowler, Caulfield. Two more great-grandchildren, a Baby Dillinger of West Plains and a Baby Fowler of Bakersfield, are expected soon.
Jerry was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Paula Mae Orf; his father, Clarence Orf; and his mother, Madge Thompson Roberts.
Jerry spent his life serving his country, community, church, and family. His nearly six decades with Paula, military and public service, Christian faith, and the generations of family he leaves behind stand as a testimony to a life of commitment, duty, and faithfulness. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 27, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. at the Bakersfield Assembly of God Church in Bakersfield, Missouri.
Visitation time will be on Thursday, August 27, 2026 also from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m
Burial will be in Udall Price Mitchell Cemetery in Bakersfield, Missouri, under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc., West Plains, Missouri.