The Life of RAYMOND PAUL MORRIS
Raymond Morris, 81, passed away on July 9, 2011, at the Bright Kavanagh House in Des Moines.
A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Tuesday, July 12, 2011, at Hamilton’s Southtown Funeral Home, 5400 SW 9th Street, with a funeral service to begin at 12 p.m. noon. Burial will follow the service at Highland Memory Gardens.
Raymond Morris was born to Lloyd and Anna Morris on
December 30, 1929.
For most of his life, Ray was a Southsider. He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1950. He served in the U.S. Army as a Military Policeman during the Korean War.
Ray married Ruth Close on June 11, 1954. They had two children, Mike in 1955 and Susan in 1958. Ray retired from the DM Fire Department after 40 years of service. He was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and he taught his kids and grandkids his love of nature.
Ray donated his time as a Shriner Circus Clown entertaining children. He was a volunteer in many organizations that benefited his community.
Ray was a dedicated husband and father. He was a very loving and active grandpa.
Ray was an Army M.P. during the Korean War. He served as a Des Moines Fire Fighter for forty years. For over fifty years, Ray was a member of the Shrine Firefighter Unit as well as a Mason. He was on the Board of Directors for the Golden Gloves for over fifty years and volunteered much of his time to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Ray is survived by his wife, Ruth; son, Michael (Barb) of Des Moines; daughter, Susan (Steve) Chopard of St. Charles; grandsons, Steven (Stacey), Scott and Sam Chopard and Brian (Rebecca) Morris; granddaughter, Amy (Matt) Ziska; five great-grandchildren; and his sister, Jean Davidson.
Memorials may be made to Bright Kavanagh House, the Iowa Fallen Firefighters Memorial or to the Des Moines Fire Department Honor Guard in memory of Ray.