Jesse Orman was born on a farm east of Jasper in January 1933. Attending North Star country school for three years before it closed. He played in the Jasper school band until graduation in 1951. After joining the Marines, he performed with the Marine field bands for twenty years. Obtaining a music degree during that time, much of it by attending night school, he received a commission in 1973. Serving an additional six years as a band officer and conductor, he retired with the rank of Captain. After retirement, he and his wife, Ruby Frances, traveled extensively for twenty years in their RV, finally settling near Frances' home near Meridian, Mississippi.

Orman is survived by his wife of 57 years, Ruby Frances; daughter, Teri Crippen (Mike); son, Coy Covington; and granddaughters, Jessica Fox and Marissa Fox McCann (Clay).

He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Clara Sunderland; sister, Maxine; brother, Henry; and son, Lewis.