Thomas Eugene Orbison Jr.

Thomas E. Orbison Jr., 94, died on December 25, 2022. He was born on April 5, 1928, in Appleton, the son of Thomas and Ann (Harwood) Orbison Sr. Tom attended Appleton High School, the class of 1945, the USNR Electronics Schools, and Cornell University – graduating with a BEE in 1952.

He worked as a consulting engineer for Orbison and Orbison, Appleton. Thomas was a member of Phi Delta Theta, the Appleton Rotary Club – receiving the Paul Harris Fellowship Award, NSPE, IEEE, and the National Academy of Forensic Engineers. He played piccolo in the Appleton City Band, sang in the Memorial Presbyterian Choir and several Gilbert and Sullivan productions. Tom volunteered with the Attic Theater, Salvation Army, Friends of the Hearthstone, Appleton Medical Center, Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, Fox Valley Literacy Coalition, YMCA Camp Nan-A-Bo-Sho, and Outagamie Solid Waste Disposal. He enjoyed classical music, downhill skiing, sailing, canoeing, hiking, scuba diving, and traveling. He was most proud of the following designs: Banta Bowl, Iolanthe Fairy Wings, and hydraulics for the Ring Dance Fountain, in Appleton’s City Park.

Thomas is survived by his wife: Jean (Meads) Orbison; children: Penny (Dennis) Lauber, Dean (Dorothy) Orbison, Joan (John) Lauber, Lynn (Rich Fox) Orbison, and Dawn Morgenstern; step-children: Cindy (Jeff) Jentz, Steve (Teri) Meads, and Betsy (Chuck) Riddle; grandchildren: Aaron (Victoria), Brett (Christy), Adam (Becky), and Elliot Lauber, Allison (Genaro) Lauber de Garza, Melissa (Matt) Thompson, Jennifer (Jeff) Roche, Carl and Ben Morgenstern; step-grandchildren: Justin, Tyler, Holly, and Stephanie Jentz, Lauren Schnobrich, Megan Dsida, Kevin and Brian Meads; 19 great grandchildren; several nieces and a nephew.

Thomas was preceded in death by his first wife: Daisy (Holtz) Orbison, a brother: F.H. Orbison, and a sister: Ruth Morgan.

A private family gathering will be held to remember Thomas. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the YMCA Camp Nan-A-Bo-Sho or the Fox Valley Memory Project for the benefit of On A Positive Note Chorus.

Thomas’ family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff of Dimensions Living, Appleton for their kindness, compassion, and care.