Oran Orville Bain, Jr., age 74, died peacefully Friday May 24th in Kingwood, TX surrounded by his family, friends and an extraordinary team of doctors and nurses. Oran was a happy-go-lucky guy who charmed everyone around him with unmatched wit and one-liners that will be repeated by his grandchildren for years to come. He was a humble, no-nonsense man who truly believed that service should be above self.

Oran was born on March 10, 1945 and is a graduate of Victoria High School in Victoria, TX. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Chapman College in Orange County, CA. He proudly served in the US Army for over 20 years, from 1963-1983. Upon retirement, his other occupations included National Training Director for Mr. Gatti’s, VP of Service Quality at Nations Bank, and owner of the Bagel Break, a local favorite in Mesquite, Texas. He held many jobs in his younger years, including cotton picking, detasseling corn and running a paper route.

Oran is survived by wife of 42 years, Gloria, his children, Bill Bain and wife Stacey, Edward Bain, Rae Bain and husband Daryl, Tara Castles and husband John, and his sister Sallye Foster. He is preceded in death by his parents, Oran and Winnie Bain, son Dow Bain, daughter-in-law Karen Bain and granddaughter Shauney Lucas.

“OO” was immensely proud of his grandchildren, Trevor Bain, Megan Lopez, Stone PFC Smith, Scarlett Smith, Ryan Bain Darby, Jessica Mason, Shauney Lucas, Austin Castles, Brandt Castles, Brianna Darby, Morgan Darby and KyLynn Darby and his three great grandchildren, Cade, Everlin and Koda.

Oran and Gloria mentored many young people throughout their lives who became part of their extended family - Marty McCammon (New Hampshire), Gregory Glen (Uganda,) Ncamsile Matsebula (Swaziland), Terrance (South Africa), Jab, Phummy and Fana (South Africa).

Oran served in the US Army for 20 years and 18 days. Most of those years were spent on a flight line. He spent three years as an Army Recruiter in Lincoln, Nebraska where he met and fell in love with his wife, Gloria. He was a First Sergeant in Fort Ord, CA and the last years of his military career were spent at the Organizational Effectiveness Center in Fort Ord. Overseas tours include Germany (3 years), Korea (2 tours), and Vietnam (2 tours). He was on orders to go back to Vietnam for a third tour when Saigon fell. He is the recipient of the Bronze Star Medal with bronze oak leaf, Air Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with bronze service stars, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon and Army Aviation Badge (Basic and Senior). Above all, he was an enthusiastic patriot.

The love of Oran’s life after retirement was travel and philanthropy. He traveled the world with his wife Gloria and they experienced many once-in-a-lifetime moments together. His contribution to water projects and providing wheelchairs around the world changed the lives of those who had very little. He was a member of the Mesquite Rotary Club (Texas) where he has a tree dedicated to him in the Grove of Honor. He belonged to the Foster City Rotary Club (California) where he was introduced to the Wheelchair Foundation. He and Gloria retired in Nelspruit, South Africa in 2009 where they were members of the Nelspruit, South Africa Rotary Club focusing on completing water projects, funding school uniforms and providing wheelchairs. Oran was a member of the Humble Rotary Club and served as President 2015-2016. He and Gloria are Paul Harris Fellows. He was inspiration to many and his legacy of service and philanthropy will be carried on by those he leaves behind.

Oran also loved fishing and DIY projects. Most recently he enjoyed fishing with his buddy Charles Kridler; they could stay out on the lake for hours, sometimes not catching a single fish but still describing it as the best day ever. He enjoyed taking his sons on fishing trips to Mexico and Brazil and taking his grandchildren out on the boat. When he wasn’t fishing, he was finding something to fix or working on projects around the house. He never met a problem he couldn’t solve or a project he couldn’t complete.

He was a man of little fanfare but had a big heart that will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

Oran Bain Memorial Scholarship
PO Box 2676 Humble, TX 77347