About Arthur

“I’m proud to be from Alabama,“ says Arthur Orr. Born in May 1964 to Blythe and Bud Orr of Danville, Alabama, Arthur grew up next to the Alabama Sheriff’s Boys Ranch.

“One thing I learned growing up was the value of hard work… though I may not have appreciated it much at the time, I certainly do now.” Whether working on the Boys Ranch, hauling 55-gallon barrels for his family’s business or loading sand at the Norfolk-Southern Railroad yard in the early morning before high school, hard work was an important part of his early years.

“I’ve always been a ‘doer’… even early in life.” While attending college at Wake Forest University, Arthur served as chairman of the Honor Council and set a new fund-raising record as chairman of the Brian Piccolo Cancer Fund Drive. He received several academic honors and held numerous leadership posts while in college.

“After college, I was eager to come back home to Alabama. The law was an area of great interest to me after serving as chairman of the college Honor Council.” He attended law school at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa where he was elected as chief justice of the Honor Court, senior editor of a law review, and on the Moot Court board. While also earning academic honors in school, Arthur taught freshman English to undergraduates and regularly volunteered with Big Brothers/Big Sisters and the Community Soup Bowl.

“The plight of those in need has always concerned me. My faith mandates action to address the needs of others.” While his classmates pursued legal careers after graduation, Arthur joined the Peace Corps. He was assigned to the remote Himalayan village of Khandbari, Nepal; several days walk from the nearest road. He lived primitively with no indoor plumbing and dirt floors, teaching in the village school and conducting teacher trainings. “I soon noticed the plight of young village girls who were married off at early ages and unable to continue to their educations. They would be relegated to a lifetime of despair with little hope for a better existence.” With the financial help of friends and family in the U.S., Arthur used his legal and language training while in Nepal to establish a college scholarship program to benefit female village students. To date, over 50 village students have benefited by attending college and seeking the opportunities an education provides.

After completing his Peace Corps commitment, he returned to Decatur where he joined the law firm of Harris, Caddell and Shanks, P.C. He also served as president of the Decatur Jaycees, the Volunteer Center and Main Street Decatur and was an active board member with other organizations and his church. He also was involved with the formation and completion of a successful real estate development project. Arthur was selected as the Citizen of the Year by the Decatur Rotary Club and received other leadership awards from various organizations. He was honored as a "Community Hero" to carry the 1996 Olympic Torch in Morgan County.

“Though I was a partner in a respected law firm and active in the community, I felt led to return overseas to do what I could to help the poor in the developing world.” Hired by Habitat for Humanity International for a three-year period, he was assigned to establish a new Habitat program in Bangladesh. The Bangladesh program was built from scratch and, to-date, has constructed over 350 houses in partnership with the working poor residents of that country. Arthur also served as legal counsel throughout the Asia/Pacific region, traveling to numerous countries and negotiating with government officials, aid organizations and local citizens to further advance Habitat programs across southeast Asia.

After serving beyond his initial term with Habitat, he returned to Decatur where he joined Cook's Pest Control, Inc. as its general counsel. “Working with Cook's Pest Control has provided me the opportunity to be more involved in the ongoing growth and management of a business — which I enjoy." Since his return in 2001, Arthur also has become part-owner of several local businesses, primarily involved in real estate development and management. Arthur has also re-engaged as an active community leader as president of the Calhoun College Foundation, Community Foundation of Decatur and the Decatur Rotary Club. He helped start the Community Free Clinic and has served on several other boards, including the Chamber of Commerce, the Mental Health Center and the Hartselle Development Board. A long-time adult Sunday school teacher and men's Bible study member, Arthur and his family are members of First Bible Church in Decatur.

Since his election, Arthur has become involved with water issues affecting the Tennessee Valley. Recognizing the importance of water in the region, he serves on the TVA Advisory Board, the State Water Commission and the Joint Legislative Water Resources Committee. He is also a trustee for the Southern Growth Policies Board.

Arthur and his wife of over ten years, the former Amy Bethshares of Decatur, have one son named Jack who attends a local public school. Amy serves on various local boards along with being involved with several women’s Bible study groups.

 

 

 

As a Peace Corps volunteer, Arthur taught at a village school in Nepal (above) when not conducting teacher trainings in district centers (below).

Arthur established a college scholarship to help villagers after his tour in Nepal.

In his work with Habitat for Humanity International, Arthur designed and helped build affordable, elevated homes, like this one in flood-prone Bangladesh. In addition, the sturdy construction– with doors and windows that can be locked – allows the families to protect themselves from thieves and sexual predators. This house was funded by HFH Morgan County.

Arthur was honored as a "Community Hero" and carried the 1996 Olympic Torch in Morgan County.