Founding Headmaster Charles H. Orme, Jr. passed away in Phoenix, Arizona at 4:15 a.m. on Friday, May 4, 2007. Charlie was 88. Son Paul, Daughter-in-Law Shawn, and Granddaughter Mallory were by his side. Charlie led the School with remarkable vision from 1945 to 1987, one of the longest tenures of any independent school headmaster in the nation. The School was his life work, and he dedicated himself to it with a passion.

In 1929, at age 12, he was a member of the first Orme class. After graduating from Stanford, he took over operation of the School from Charles H. Orme Sr., Uncle Chick, and led its growth to the nationally-known high school it is today. Most of the buildings on campus were built under his direction, sometimes with help from his own hands. His is a legacy that can never be reproduced.

On May 11, 2007, a beautiful Memorial Service was held for Founding Headmaster Charles H. Orme, Jr. at Trinity Cathedral in Phoenix, Arizona.  Below you will find links to the complete program as well as the Eulogy given by Dr. Todd R. W. Horn, followed by "A Son's Thoughts" by Paul R. Orme.

Memorial Service Program for Charles H. Orme, Jr.

Eulogy given by Dr. Todd R. W. Horn

A Son’s Thoughts
by Paul R. Orme
May 11, 2007

Special thanks to The Orme School Choir which performed “You Raise Me Up” at my request.   Of course, it has literal meaning in my case, but it also reflects my Father’s life work and legacy – making all those he came in contact with better, and raising them up as well.

Thanks to Trinity Cathedral, which my Great-Grandfather help to build and which has held the services for 14 Ormes, according to my Dad.

My Mother, Brother, Shawn and I would also like to publicly thank those who cared for my Father in his final years.  Zulema Zabalza, who also cares for my Mother; and the Terraces of Phoenix, with help from Yolanda, Diana, and Lenore.  My Father would be Mostly Pleased with this ceremony as we followed his wishes very closely as to the selected readings, hymns and the poems of the program.  Several years ago he had asked me to do his eulogy, which I knew would be difficult for me.  I decided not to deliver the eulogy because I knew my best friend, Todd Horn, could do it better.

As I reflect on my relationship with my Dad – which was always a close and positive one – this service symbolizes many of his hopes and expectations for me.   He mostly got what he wanted, but not completely.  Those of you who knew my Dad, know he usually did get what he wanted.

He wanted me to be a football player and calf roper.   I only played football, but he was Mostly Pleased.

He wanted me to be an “A” student like he was but, alas, I was a “B” student; and he was Mostly Pleased.

He wanted me to be the 7^th straight Orme to attend Stanford, and I shattered that streak by attending Occidental.  I did play football at Oxy, and he was Mostly Pleased.

In 1990 he wanted me to become the Headmaster of The Orme School after he and Buck Hart had retired.   I knew I was not right for that position, and we found Todd Horn who was a much better choice, and he was Mostly Pleased.

In 2007 when the new leadership of the School was announced, and I became the President (not exactly his old job, but one I was better suited for), he was Mostly Pleased.

My final thoughts are for my Dad’s grandchildren:   Charles, Katie, Alexandra, Lauren and Mallory.  You have the great privilege that this man’s blood courses through your veins.  But with that privilege comes an equally great responsibility which is best described by his camp site motto, “Leave it cleaner than you found it.”

Of course, this is a metaphor for his entire life’s work – making people and communities with whom he came in to contact better.   The poem he selected at the end of this program reflects this philosophy.  Of course, like for me, he had dreams for all of you:

Go to Stanford – That has not happened as I may have jinxed that family tradition.

Someday find your way back to the Ranch and School to help perpetuate the family legacy – This may or may not happen, but even if it does not, if you leave the camp sites of your lives cleaner and better than you found them he will be Entirely Pleased, and you will have perpetuated his legacy.   He loved you very much.