Our loving husband and father, Ora Butler Cahoon, Jr., 86, passed away peacefully on December 4, 2021, surrounded by family. He was born in Baraboo to Zelda (Niemeyer) and Ora B. Cahoon, Sr., on December 24, 1934.

Ora grew up in Suamico where he spent his summers swimming in the bay, raising ducks, and having good times with friends. He was very active in Boy Scouts, both as a scout and as a leader. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in 1954, setting a world record for the number of scouts to earn the rank of Eagle at one time. Ora and his lifelong pal and fellow Eagle Scout, Vernon Malchow, were part of a rifle team that finished in second place in National competition in marksmanship, and were later troop leaders. Ora shared the honor of earning the rank of Eagle with three of his grandsons, Evan, Alex, and Garrett Mehre.

After graduating from West High in Green Bay, in 1954, he joined the Air Force and served from 1954 to 1958, primarily in Germany. In 1957, after a visit with his parents, he boarded a train in Green Bay, dressed in his Air Force dress blues, which caught the attention of Joanne Strutz. He told her stories about his parents and experiences all the way to Milwaukee. They were married, one year later, on November 27, 1958, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Suamico. His storytelling continued for the rest of his life. He loved sharing wonderful stories about his life experiences with family and friends.

Soon after Ora and Joanne were married, he began his 35-year career with Fort Howard Paper Company. In 1969, he and Joanne bought a farm in Little Suamico, where they farmed while he continued to work at Fort Howard until he retired in 1993. For many of his years at the paper mill he was a much-admired supervisor in the Printed Napkin department.

Ora was a longtime member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Little Suamico where he volunteered his time to help with many projects and events. He served several times on the church council and as church council president. He enjoyed peace and relaxation at his cabin in Pembine, which was entirely hand-built by his father. He was especially happy there when children and grandchildren joined him to spend time in the woods and help with projects.

Ora was devoted to his family, which he cherished deeply. He leaves behind Joanne, his loving wife of 63 years, their five children: Laurie (Joseph) Cahoon-Draus, Nannette (Jeff) Sorenson, Sandra Mehre (Steve Herro), Susan (Jim) Olson, and Ora Cahoon III (Amy Johnson); and his grandchildren: Vincent, Pamela, and Deanna Cahoon-Draus; Kate (Brian) Bergseng, Lee (Kelsey), and Chris (Kristina) Sorenson; Evan (Jade), Alex (Jessica), and Garrett (special friend Bella Schnur) Mehre; Ella (Dean) Berven and Steven (special friend Brittany Olson) Olson; Willow and Miller Cahoon; and seven great-grandchildren: Luca and Mikael Bergseng; Nolan and Evie Sorenson; and Lillian, Clara, and Meredith Mehre. He also will be deeply missed by his wife's twin sister, Marj and her husband, Todd Radick, their children, and their families.

Ora was preceded in death by his parents Ora and Zelda; sisters, Sandra and Nancy Wizenick, brother-in-law Richard Wizenick; and infant granddaughter, Angel Cahoon-Draus.

A visitation will be held at St. John's Lutheran Church, 1253 Co Rd J, Little Suamico, on December 11, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. A service officiated by Pastor Stacy Pethke will follow. Online condolences are welcome at www.PfotenhauerFuneralHome.com .