Howard Morris Obituary

Durango resident Howard Lowell Morris died Monday, Nov. 21, 2011, in Durango. He was 84.

Mr. Morris was born to Guy Randolph and Carolyn Drew Morris on Oct. 22, 1927, in Arvada. His parents met in Durango, where his father was a sheep rancher and his mother a nurse. He graduated from Arvada High School in 1945 and attended the Colorado School of Mines briefly before he was drafted into the Army.

He met his future wife, Shirley Davis, in Chicago. The couple married in 1952 in LaGrange, Ill.

Mr. Morris went on to graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., in 1951. He served as a naval officer for 21 years, earning several medals and citations for his service.

During Mr. Morris' service to our country, his family lived in California in Long Beach, San Diego, Newport Beach, Troy, N.Y., Rhode Island and Philadelphia. Mr. Morris then served as a member of the United Nations Command Staff in Korea. After his tour in Korea, he was stationed again in San Diego and Long Beach. He ended his military career with the rank of commander in Honolulu as shore commander for the Pacific Fleet.

When he retired in 1971, he and Mrs. Morris moved to Evergreen, where Mr. Morris worked in real estate and as a machinery inspector and engineer for an insurance company.

In 1977, the couple moved to Durango, where they enjoyed an active mountain lifestyle, hiking and skiing.

Mr. Morris enjoyed woodworking and woodcarving, restoring his 1947 Dodge pickup and playing bridge.

"His curious mind was always seeking answers about how things worked," his family said. "He was keenly interested in mechanics and electronics. He loved to tinker."

Mr. Morris was preceded in death by his daughter Leslie Morris Swaford.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Shirley Morris, of Durango; daughters Susan Hicks and Linda Morris, both of Durango; sons, David Morris, Alan Morris and Glenn Morris, all of Durango; brothers Donn Morris of Westminster and Roger Morris of Owatonna, Minn.; eight grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011, at the McPherson Memorial Chapel at Fort Lewis College. A gathering for friends and family will be held after the service at the family home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Durango Discovery Museum, 1333 Camino del Rio, Durango, CO 81301.

Online condolences may be sent at www.hoodmortuary.com.