James Orendorff

James Maxwell Orendorff, age 78 of Troy died Sunday, October 1, 2017. Jim was born in Monterey Park, California and spent his formative years in Fresno, California with his parents and sister Bettye Orendorff Norris.

Jim attended the Fresno public schools and graduated from Fresno State College in 1960 with "high honors" earning a Bachelors degree in business administration, At that time he was named  "Fraternity Man of the Year," and was a member of the business and service honor fraternity, Beta Gamma Sigma. He entered law school at the respected University of California law school, Boalt Hall in Berkeley, California where he received his law degree in 1964. Jim started his law career with Meserve, Mumper and Hughes and became a partner in 1969. His practice included litigation and representation of institutional investors in their commerce realty secure investments. He became General Counsel of the publicly held (ASE) mortgage banker, the Colwell company in 1972. He moved to a larger competitor Western Mortgage Company in 1975, in the same capacity. Each was a respected nationwide mortgage banker requiring counsel in areas of corporate management and organization. The positions also required the development and supervision of staff and outside counsel nationwide. In 1980 Jim returned to private practice with offices in Pasadena, Ca., emphasizing general business and realty related transactions.

Jim's professional and community activities are extensive and of Long duration. He has been a chairman or president of numerous local , statewide and national bar association committees and foundations. He has served as a settlement officer, mediator and arbitrator as well as judge pro tempore on numerous occasions for the Los Angeles community courts. He served on several committees of the Los Angeles County United Way, on the Development Board of the California State University in Los Angeles and its foundation and on the board of directors of the Pasadena YMCA, serving as president from 1997-1999.

Jim served in the National Guard as a Navy Lawyer in Los Angeles. He and his wife Jean Qualls of Troy were married in 1992. Their blessed family includes; Sam Parks of Jacksonville, Fl., Jennie Parks of Phelan, Ca., Ben Parks of Siera Madre, Ca.,  and Kate Orendorff Willett of Eugene, Oregon, Jean and Jim have 11 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. In 2003 Jean and Jim retired to Troy, Jean's hometown. Jim soon became active at Troy University as a lecturer in the Sorrell college of Business teaching business law and business commerce. The local chapter of ATO Fraternity were anxious to have him serve as their advisor. That offer he accepted with enthusiasm. It has been a great symbolic experience as he was soon awarded the Order of Omega award "Mr. Greek."

Jim also served  as senior warden at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Troy from 2004 until 2006. As the church and the Orendorff residence are neighbors, Jean and Jim named their home "Comfort by St. Mark's," hopefully a statement of fact and not a plea.

The service for Jim will be held Monday, October 9, 2017 at 10:00 AM at St. Mark's Episcopal Church with Rector Curtis Kensington officiating. A private family graveside will be held immediately following the service.

In Lieu of flowers the family is asking for donations to the St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 401 W. College St., Troy, Al., 36081.

The staff of Green Hills Funeral Home is honored to serve the Orendorff family.