Gene "Jack" L Morris' Obituary
Gene L (Jack) Morris was born April 11, 1932 to Alvin L and Jean Morris in Tacoma, Washington. Gene said, ‘I love you. I’ll see you again soon’, on January 9, 2022 due to Covid-19. His family was able to spend his final few days with him, a blessing for which they are very grateful. The family thanks the wonderful team at IHC’s Utah Valley Hospital for their kind care and willingness to enable a quiet, peaceful passing.
Gene led a long and productive life. After graduating from Lincoln High School in Tacoma he joined the US Navy and served on the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown during the Korean war. He met the love of his life, Carroll Williams, part-way through his service. They were married for time and eternity on June 3, 1955 in the Salt Lake City temple. After leaving the Navy Gene worked as an electrician for The Boeing Company, then joined his father in the property development and real estate business in Tacoma. When his father passed away in 1970 Gene closed the family business, joined another real estate firm where he was top salesman, then finally joined JC Penny’s where he worked for more than 20 years selling everything from hardware to women’s lingerie. Along with his son and other partners he created JackMorris Janitorial and sold cleaning supplies for several years before selling the business and officially retiring. The family moved to Orem, Utah in 1974 where they built a new home on the Sandhill. Gene and Carroll have been there ever since.
Gene was a friend to all. He loved his family. He loved his neighbors. He has many, many friends, many of whom have preceded him in death. When he married Carroll, the Williams family welcomed him like a new brother and always treated him as such.
Up until the point where his body just couldn’t do the work any longer he was a helper to everyone he knew. He could fix anything, all without the help of YouTube.
He was a life-long member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he served in many capacities over the years. He and Carroll ministered to up to 9 different families at one time, loving every minute of it. Those families became some of their best friends. They served an extended service mission at Provo’s LDS Employment Center and helped scores of people find work and assistance.
Since retiring from full and part-time work five years ago, he has spent hours using a loom to create warm, colorful, winter hats. At last count he had made 5,024 of these little gems. They’ve been distributed via police departments, food banks, schools, missionaries, and to anybody who happened to stop by the house. Two months ago he received word that his hats had been taken and shared with children in Nepal. Hearing that made him so happy and proud, even though he had no idea where Nepal was. We assured him that children in Nepal really needed those hats.
Gene was a wonderful husband, father, son, brother-in-law, grandfather, great-grandfather, neighbor, and friend. He truly left a positive legacy and made a difference in this world.
Gene is survived by his wife, Carroll, son, Randy (Sherrie) Morris, daughters Brenda (Kenneth) Knight and Leslie (Russell) Gardner. Gene and Carroll’s progenity include 13 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren. His oldest daughter, Cherlyn, passed away in 2001. Gene will be laid to rest at the Orem Cemetery, next to Cherlyn.
A viewing will be held from 6-8:00 pm on Friday, January 14, 2022 at the Orem Lakeview Stake Center, 450 West 1800 South. Funeral service on Saturday, January 15th, at 11:00 am with a viewing to begin at 10:00 am, also at the Stake Center. Interment to follow at Orem City Cemetery.
Live Streaming of service:
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