Orville "O.T." Theodore Failen, Sr.

Orville Theodore (O.T.) Failen, Sr. 83 of Fayetteville, died on Friday August 5, 2022, at Cape Fear Valley from complications of surgery. O.T. was the oldest son of James David Failen and Bennie Inez Failen.  He was born in Kingsport, Tennessee but lived in South Carolina until he joined the Army in 1959. Since then, he lived mostly in North Carolina.

O.T. was a retired Army Warrant Officer and a Vietnam veteran among his awards were, Senior Army Aviator Badge, Senior Army Parachutist Badge, Parachute Rigger’s Badge, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, Thirty-seven Air Medals, One for Valor, two Army Commendation Medals, Good conduct Medal, National Defense, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with four Campaign Stars, Korean Defense Service Medal, and Vietnam Campaign Medal.

He was a member of the American Legion and a life member of the following: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, National Rifle Association, Veteran of Foreign Wars, The Distinguished flying Cross Society, and the Second Amendment Foundation.

O.T. was a 1958 graduate of Gaffney High School in Gaffney, S.C. and a 1982 graduate of Fayetteville Technical College.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Jo Anne Erwin Failen; parents; sister, Margaret Ruth Foster; brother, James David Failen, Jr.; and a nephew David Perry Foster.

He is survived by his daughters, Lorie Anne Davis (Norman) and Pamela J. Failen both of Fayetteville; sons, Orville T. Failen, Jr. of the home; Jefferson Darby Failen (Samantha) of St. Pauls; sister, Edith Mae Atkins of Gaffney, SC  9 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday, August 14, 2022, at 2 p.m. at Jernigan-Warren Chapel with Military Honors. The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Disabled Veterans, VA Regional Office Federal Bldg, 251 North Main St. Rm 151 Winston-Salem, N.C. 27101-3914

Online condolences may be left at http://www.jerniganwarren.com

Arrangements by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St. Fayetteville, NC 28301

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