D.D. "Don" Morris

D.D. "Don" Morris 89 of Waco, passed away May 16, 2015. A Graveside Service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at Clifton Memorial Park with Rev. Brian McQuiggin officiating.

Donald Duard Morris was born June 13, 1925 in Weir, Kansas to William and Daisy Morris. In 1946, he married Betty Lou Wooten, They had two children, Ronna and Jaime.

Don joined the U.S. Marine Corp in September of 1943. He served with the 18th Engineers of the 2nd Marine Division as a demolition expert/flame thrower operator in the Asiatic Pacific Area from January through November 1944. He was wounded in action on Saipan, Marianas Islands, and was a Purple Heart recipient.

He operated, managed, and owned finance companies in Houston, Palestine, and Waco during his career. He owned City Finance in Waco for 25 years prior to his retirement at the age of 67. During his years at City Finance he particularly enjoyed morning coffee breaks with other local businessmen in downtown Waco discussing all the important matters of the day. These guys were great friends to Don.

His favorite hobbies included fishing and travel, as well as bridge games on Saturday evenings with close friends. He and Betty traveled throughout the United States. One favorite spot was Betty's hometown in the Arkansas Ozarks where trout fishing on the White River and deer hunting were premium. When their traveling days were over Don spent a great deal of his time reading historical novels. He was proud of his family and their accomplishments. His strong family ties and survival instincts are rooted in depression-era Kansas.

He is preceded in death by his parents, grandson Rance D. Morris, three brothers and one sister.

He is survived by his wife Betty Morris, daughter Ronna Kay Prickett and husband James of Baytown, TX, son Jaime Morris and wife Helen of Clifton, TX, grandchildren Heather Gilpen-Richardson and husband Carl of Baytown, TX, Megan Morris of Golden, CO, Michele Morris of Golden, CO, great-grandchildren Conner Gilpen and Kaleb Richardson both of Baytown.