A celebration of the life of Bruce Morris, 72, of Athens will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, November 29, 2017, at Athens First United Methodist Church with Rev Jason Smith and Bro. Grady Manning officiating. Graveside services will be held Wednesday at 3 p.m. at the Crandall Cemetery.
Bruce Roy Morris died at home Saturday, November 25, 2017, after a very short battle with cancer.
Bruce graduated from Crandall High School, Crandall, Texas. He attended Henderson County Junior College (TVCC) and earned his bachelor and master’s degrees in Agriculture Education from East Texas State University (Texas A&M Commerce). He was married to Donna Stover Morris on July 11, 1969 in Monticello, Florida.
His teaching career began in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, where he taught for three years. He then taught in Arp, Texas for a year before going to Plano ISD where he spent the remainder of his 32-year teaching career. He was instrumental in leading what became one of the largest Vocational Agriculture departments in Texas. During his tenure at PISD, he was the driving influence behind the first Collin County Junior Livestock Show, a yearly multi-day event that has continued to this day. Bruce served on the State Ag Teachers Association Board of Directors, was an advisor and to two American Farmer Degree recipients and numerous State Degree recipients.
After retirement, he and Donna moved to Athens to raise cattle and hay. Bruce was an active member of 1st United Methodist Church where he served as Sunday School president, was on the Board of Trustees, and the MCLC Board.
Bruce’s greatest love beyond his family was kids and cows. He was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather and an excellent educator, advisor, and mentor to generations of students.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Exar Jane Graham.
Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Donna Morris; son John Roy Morris, his wife Jennifer and their son, Luke Olen Morris of The Colony, Texas; foster son/great nephew Justin Olen Graham, his wife Krysten and their son Waylon of Malakoff, Texas. He is also survived by Sandy and Grady Manning and their children, Cody Manning of McKinney, Texas and Amy Van Cleve of Lindale, Texas, and other extended family of the heart including Jenny Garcia Bradley and her children Hudson and Sophie of Aubrey, Texas; sister, Judy Morris Trammell of Athens Texas; cousin/brother Brooks Morris and his wife Cheryl of Crandall, Texas and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, November 29, 2017, from 6-8 p.m. at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home in Athens.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home Family.
You may light a memorial candle or write condolences to the family at www.hannigansmith.com.