Orlynn was born Oct.

2, 1935 in Gardner, Kansas to Leona Howell Evans and Harry D.

Evans. His parents moved to Columbia, Missouri in 1948, where Orlynn graduated from Hickman High and the University of Missouri.

In 1961, he graduated from Midwestern Baptist Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri, and in 1972, earned a PH.D from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Orlynn married Evelyn Gatson, of Vandalia, Missouri, Feb. 8, 1957 at Calvary Baptist Church in Columbia, Missouri. They celebrated 67 years of marriage in 2024.

Orlynn pastored churches in Missouri and Iowa and taught in Olathe, Kansas, before he and his family went to Liberia, West Africa as educational missionaries in 1970. When they returned to the U.S. in 1978, Orlynn taught at Arkansas Tech in Russellville, Arkansas, and then at Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas for 17 years until he retired in May 2000.

Orlynn was known for his love of travel and belonged to several RV groups. He was an advocate for his grandchildren and took five of them to various locations in Europe as well as many trips around the United States.

Orlynn was active in Kiwanis in Nacogdoches and later in Round Rock, Texas. After he moved to Hutto, Texas to be near his daughters and their families, he was secretary of the Lions Club. In 2008, he was appointed as a Williamson County representative on the CAPCOG Solid Waste Advisory Board. At the time of his death, he was a member of First Baptist Church of Round Rock, Texas.

Orlynn’s parents and sister, Carroll Medford, preceded him in death.

Orlynn is survived by his wife Evelyn, of Granbury, Texas; three children: Elise Reaves and husband David, of Granbury, Texas; Dwight Evans and wife Camie, of Tyler, Texas; and Denise Orsborn and husband Bryan, of Leander, Texas; and grandchildren: Lindsey Lohr and husband Brett, of Portland, Oregon; Sarah Wade and husband Chase, of Bedford, Texas; Rebekah Ross and husband Bailey, of Tyler, Texas; A.J. Evans and wife Baylie, of Tyler, Texas; Daniel Orsborn, of Georgetown, Texas; and Nathan Orsborn, of Leander, Texas. Orlynn is also survived by two great-granddaughters, Kathryn Wade and Avery Ross; and one great-grandson, Ellis Ross. He is survived by his brother, Harry Evans, of Santa Ana, California.

The family wishes to thank the caregivers at Bridgewater Memory Care, Waterview The Cove Memory Care and Interim Hospice Healthcare for the great care, compassion and dignity they provided to Orlynn in his last years.

In lieu of flowers, you may choose to donate to the First Baptist Church in Round Rock, Texas, Mission Fund. A family celebration of his life will be held at a later time.