John Andrew Morris

John A. "Ole" Morris, 85, Ortonville, MN, formerly of Beardsley, MN, died Saturday, August 15, 2009, at the Northridge Residence in Ortonville.
Memorial services were Thursday, August 20, at 10:30 a.m. at the Methodist Presbyterian Church in Beardsley with Rev. Anna Williamson officiating.  Music was provided by organist Kathi Tharaldson and vocalists Butch and Darin Gibson.
Burial was in the Beardsley Community Cemetery, Beardsley.  Military honors were provided by the August Altheide American Legion Post 302 of Beardsley.  Honorary urn bearers were the members of the Traverse Masonic Lodge 189.  Active urn bearers were his sons Rodney and David Morris.
John Andrew "Ole" Morris was born August 19, 1923, in Big Stone County, MN, to Helma (Skundberg) and Jack Morris.  He attended Country School District 31 through the 8th grade, graduated from Clinton High School in 1941, and graduated from the University of Minnesota, Morris campus, in 1972.
John joined the U.S. Navy as soon as he was eligible.  After training in Pensacola, FL, and Berea, KY, he served in the Philippine Islands.  His military specialty was photography and he was a boxing contender who competed throughout the Pacific Fleet.  Later he put his formidable boxing talents to work in Beardsley by coaching the Golden Gloves program with his close friend Ray Martins.
John was united in marriage to Evelyn Davidson in the Beardsley Methodist Church on October 28, 1951.  To this union five children were born:  Wanda, Karen, Rodney, Marianne, and David.  John farmed on the family homestead, south of Beardsley, until he retired in 1972.  Upon retirement, he and Evelyn spent their winters in Green Valley, AZ.
Interests and hobbies were a big part of John's life.  He studied geology and collected rocks and meteorites.  John had a lifelong love of bicycling and participated in the MS TRAM ride across Minnesota and he continued riding into his 80's.  For a period, he was interested in oil painting and produced several pieces that are family treasures today, along with hundreds of photographic prints and miles of movie film.  John and Evelyn even drew and produced a cartoon short as a lead-in for a reel of family movies.
Another sustained interest was military aviation.  John pursued this interest during his retirement by volunteering at the Pima Air Museum, restoring vintage military aircraft.  He was especially well suited for this restoration work because he had worked at a MacDonnell Douglas aircraft factory in Los Angeles while waiting to turn 18, so that he could enlist in the Navy there.  Also, during his Navy service in the Pacific Theatre, John served at a seaplane base with responsibility for moving the aircraft in and out of the water.
John loved the Minnesota State Fair and worked there for many years in the Security Department.  He was also in security as a member of the Sheriff's Auxiliary in Green Valley, AZ.
John was a member of the Traverse Masonic Lodge for over 50 years and was also an active member of the Beardsley American Legion.
Survivors include his wife Evelyn of Ortonville; five children, Wanda Berry of Robbinsdale, MN, Karen and Dan Vraa of Dixon, CA, Rodney and Juli Morris of Tampa, FL, Marianne Morris of New Hope, MN, and David and Laura Morris of Dallas, TX; and three granddaughters, Katherine, Michelle and Rachel Morris.
John was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Ada and Elida.