Warren Morrison

Today, another member of the Greatest Generation has gone home to heaven. Warren L. Morrison passed away at the age of 90. Warren was born in Birmingham, and his family moved to Center Point as some of the early settlers. Warren was fun-loving, outgoing, and always full of stories to share.

In May of 1942, he married his beautiful sweetheart, the love of his life, Betty Jo Roddam. Thus began the adventures a 70-year marriage. Shortly after marriage, Warren was called to duty to serve in WWII. He was a young man, willing and ready to defend the country he loved. He served in the United States Army in the European Theatre in First Army Headquarters, and also with the 503rd Quartermaster Car Company. During his time in the Army, he was the personal driver for General Charles E. Hart. It became a father/son type of relationship, and his respect for the General continued after he came home from war and for all the years that followed. Warren earned 5 Bronze service stars and 1 bronze Arrowhead during his tenure with the U.S. Army. He has always taken much pride in his service to our country during the war and shared his memories with anyone with whom he came into contact. He has left his family with a legacy of patriotism and one of great American pride.

Warren worked most of his life as a plumber. He owned his own business for many years, but later in his career, he went back to work for a major plumbing company, Brown Mechanical Contractors. He made many friends while working with them and at NASA in Huntsville. He is a member of Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 91, where he served as Treasurer for a number of years.

Warren's love of his family is well-known. He and Betty worked hard to make a good life for their family. He was the proud Daddy of two girls, Carolyn Morrison Ford (Brian) and Marilyn Morrison Deming (Anthony), and until the time of his death, his girls were his greatest accomplishment. He loved them and made sure they knew it. He never missed a chance to tell them how proud he was of them and how much he loved them. In turn, his daughters adored and loved him and enjoyed having him for their Daddy. His sons-in-law, Brian Ford and Tony Deming have been a huge part of Warren's life. He loved them like his own sons. Warren had 4 grandchildren whom he loved unconditionally and who loved him dearly: Kristi Ford Torbert (Greg); Ann Deming Cox (Kevin); Maria Deming Sanders (Cam); and Kevin Brian Ford (Jodi). Seven great-grandchildren completed his circle of love: Renee Cox, Laura Torbert, Ryan Cox, Tyler Cox, Joey Torbert, Travis Torbert, and Katelyn Ford. These children brought complete joy into his life.

Warren was energetic and full of life. From the late 1950's, he and Betty owned property at Pinedale Shores near Ashville, AL. He taught more than 50 people to water ski, and the when the fish were biting, you knew a fish fry was soon to follow with his favorite dessert----homemade ice cream. There was always a party, complete with horse shoes or a friendly game of badminton. His story-telling skills are legendary. He was the natural entertainment at Army reunions, Sunday school parties, or simply sitting in a doctor's waiting room. He never met a stranger, and his stories always involved laughter and making folks see the fun side of life.

The most important part of Warren's life was his love for our Lord Jesus Christ. Warren was a Charter member of Center Point First United Methodist Church. Warren installed the plumbing in the building at no charge and made numerous contributions on many levels using his talents. He was a member of the Good Samaritan Class and enjoyed the life-long friends he had in the class. He spent many hours reading the Bible and was especially curious about and interested in the book of Revelation. He loved to sing hymns of praise and worship. For the past few years, Warren's pain had taken a toll on him, and he yearned for Heaven's beautiful shore. As Warren's five-year-old great-grandson Travis said, "Now he can run and play with Jesus." The joy for Warren has begun.

As he leaves his earthly home, he is heaven bound! What a joyous reunion he will have with those who preceded him in death: his parents, Charles T. Morrison and Mae Helen Fritts Morrison, his brothers, Lawrence, Enos, Ted, Thales, Luther, and his sisters, Crystal and Charlcey, as well as his nieces, Pat Little Self, Pat Morrison, and Mickey Morrison.

In addition to his wife, daughters, sons-in-laws, grandchildren and great grandchildren, he will be missed by his brother, Dale Morrison (Mary), special niece, Jan Egger, and nephews and nieces from both his and Betty's family.

Visitation will be held at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home in Trussville at 9 AM on Monday, June 4 with the service to follow at 10 AM. Burial will be in the Morrison Family plot in Forest Hill Cemetery.

If you would like to make a contribution to Warren's memory, please do so at the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org.