Orville "Orv" Ochs

With his family by his side, Orville “Orv” Ochs was called home into the loving arms of Our Father, on April 17, 2024, at the age of 75. Orv was born on January 25, 1949, in Coulee City, WA, to Ireneaus and Lorraine Ochs. The family moved to Wenatchee, WA, in 1961, and Orv graduated from Wenatchee High School, in 1967. After high school Orv enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served his country as a field radio operator from February 1968 to March 1969 during the Tet offensive in the Vietnam War. Patriotism was fundamental to who Orv was; he always took time to recognize and thank other service members for their sacrifice and service to this Nation. Orv’s experience coming home from Vietnam solidified a resolve within him that our country could, and should, do better by our veterans. This resolve to do better led Orv and Kathy to start “Operation Support” for our troops coming home from the war in the Persian Gulf. The mission of “Operation Support” was to ensure veterans knew their local communities appreciated and valued their service. Although his time in Vietnam impacted the rest of his life, Orv never wavered in his love of the Corps and this Nation. Semper Fi was a credo that Orv was honored to share with other Marines. After his discharge from the Marine Corps in March of 1970, Orv came home to Wenatchee and married the love of his life Kathy Carey, on August 28th. Orv and Kathy were married for over 53 years, and Orv cherished each and every day with Kathy. Orv and Kathy loved calling the Wenatchee Valley home and raised two beautiful girls here: April and Amy. Orv loved his girls, and family, immensely and was always the first one there to support them in anything they did. Faith and community were foundational to Orv and his family. Spreading the word of God, and teaching kids love for the Lord was something Orv took special joy and pride in. He was involved in establishing the AWANA program at Eastmont Baptist Church. The Lord was at the center of Orv’s life, and he made sure the Lord was always at the center of his family's life. Through his love of his kids and his involvement in the AWANA program, Orv learned a love of teaching and coaching. This love led to his involvement with many different community programs in the Valley. Orv could typically be found coaching the Apple Valley Merchants men’s softball team, Abby’s Angels girls fastpitch team, AAU girls basketball, or just teaching kids and young adults how to be better people. Orv spent his working life helping to feed the world as part of the Pacific Northwest tree fruit industry. Orv began his career in agriculture working for HR Spinner Company, who then became Wilbur-Ellis Company, for 27 years. Before his well-earned retirement, Orv loved spending his final working years as part of the team at Chamberlin Ag. He enjoyed working with everyone throughout his career in support of helping customers raise the very best apple, cherry, and pear crops they could. Working in agriculture for over 40 years was something that Orv took great pride and joy in. Orv is survived by his wife Kathy, daughter April (Michael) Moore, daughter Amy (Damian) Eldred, and his five beloved grandchildren: Gavin, Phillip, Matthew, Maggie, and Ellie. As well as his stepfather Bob Williams and siblings; Eldon (Lori) Ochs, Donnie Beem, LauVonne (John) Melton; in-laws Dennis and Shirley Carey; and nieces Angie Beem, Krysten (Nick) O’Farrell, Kaylin (Luke Campbell) Ochs. Orv was preceded in death by his mother, Lorraine Ochs; father, Ireneaus Ochs; mother-in-law Ruth Holm; nephew Joshua Melton, niece Jenny (Ochs) Mathews; and nephew Edward Melton. The family would like to say a very special thank you to the nurses and doctors at the Harborview Neuro Intensive Care Unit. Especially Drs. Hendershot, Hug, Leavitt, Loner, and Lele. As well as Nurses Angela and Sarah. Your care and compassion made a very challenging experience, just a tiny bit easier. A Funeral Service for Orville “Orv” Ochs, will be held Thursday, April 25, at 2:00 pm at Wenatchee First Assembly of God Church, 1520 McKittrick St., Wenatchee, WA. Arrangements by Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee.

Orville "Orv" Ochs

January 25, 1949 - April 17, 2024