John Morris

WAUKESHA-John Lewis Morris, lifelong Waukesha County resident died on Friday, August 29, 2008 at Avalon Square at the age of 90.  He was born on September 17, 1917 in the town of Delafield, one of three children of Leslie David and Kathryn Jane (nee Davies) Morris.  Mr. Morris proudly served as a U.S. Army chief warrant officer during WWII in Australia from 1941 until 1945, after graduating from Carroll College in 1939.  He started his civilian career at Boston Store as a buyer of stationery from 1939 until entering the service.  Upon returning from service in Australia in 1945 he went back to work at Boston Store until 1955.  He then went on to work as an Acacia Mutual Life Insurance agent from 1955 until his retirement in 1982.     Always active in community life, he was a life member of the Waukesha Noon Lions Club where he was given the highest, most prestigious recognition in international Lionism, the Melvin Jones award for his exemplary service.  He was also awarded the Birch-Sturm fellowship for dedication to humanitarian projects of the Wisconsin Lions Foundation.  He served as secretary-treasurer of the Wales Cemetery Association for 30 years, and was a member and past president of the Welsh heritage St. David’s Society.  He was chair of the Alumni Council and on the Board of Trustees at Carroll College.  He was a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church where he was an elder, head usher, Sunday school teacher, member of the Mariners, and chair of the memorial gifts committee.  He was a member of the EAA and a lifelong aviation enthusiast. John was known for his friendly smile and all around good nature.   Lovingly surviving are his wife of 53 years Eloise (nee Williams) of Waukesha and their children: Leslie Raymond (Mary) Morris, Dr. Cathleen Ann (the late Ron Peters) Morris, both of Waukesha, and Robert John (Lita) Morris of Murfreesboro, TN as well as grandchildren: Kathryn, Brandon and Brittany.  Also surviving are his brother, Dr. David Leslie (Sacia) Morris of Onalaska, his sister-in-law Shirley (the late James) Howard of Menomonee Falls as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.  Preceding him in death in addition to his parents were his son, Richard David Morris in 1980 and his sister, Helen Jane Morris.   Visitation will be held on Friday, September 5, 2008 from 4:00 until 7:00PM at Randle-Dable Funeral Home, 1110 S. Grand Ave., Waukesha, WI.  Visitation continues on Saturday, September 6, 2008 from 1:00PM until the 2:00PM funeral service at First Presbyterian Church, 810 N. East Avenue, Waukesha. Reverend Bill Humphreys will preside.  Graveside services with military honors will follow at Jerusalem Cemetery in Wales.  Memorials are appreciated to the Waukesha Noon Lions Club, P.O. Box 1004, Waukesha, WI 53187 or to Carroll University Attn: Janine Kujawa, 100 N. East Avenue, Waukesha, WI 53186.  For further information, please call Randle-Dable Funeral, Cremation and Preplanning Services at (262) 547-4035, or go to www.waukeshafunerals.com for directions or to leave an on-line tribute.