Lawrence "Larry" Anthony Morris

Dr. Lawrence Anthony Morris was born on May 20, 1952 in New Haven, CT to Helen Wolicki Morris and Edwin Joseph Morris. Larry grew up surrounded by aunts, uncles, and many cousins in a boisterous extended family. In his youth, he would hop on his bike, join friends, and spend hours in the woods, fishing and exploring. Thus began Larry’s love of the outdoors, his future career, and his enduring appreciation of sharing time with good friends.

Graduating from Hamden High School in 1970, Larry then studied forestry, earning a Bachelor of Science at the University of Maine, Orono. He earned his master’s degree with a research assistantship at SUNY Syracuse, studying riparian systems in upstate New York. He met Sue Lawrence in Syracuse, they fell in love and were married in June, 1977. They lived in Gainesville, FL where Larry earned his Ph.D. in soil nutrition in 1981 at the University of Florida.

Larry and Sue welcomed son Arthur Edwin and daughter Laura Ann, beginning family life together in Florida. After completing his PhD, Larry took a position at NC State in Raleigh, NC. In 1985, Larry joined the faculty at the University of Georgia, making Athens the family’s permanent home. They enjoyed walks, hikes, camping, and exploring the outdoors near and far, from Jekyll Island to Mt. Desert Island, the Smoky Mountains to the Tetons, and the Olympic Peninsula.

Larry thrived in his career at UGA. He continued research studies in silviculture and water resources, producing numerous publications informing the forest industry on best land use management practices. Larry loved teaching. He established the Senior Project capstone course, challenging students to apply their coursework in practical applications with landowners, municipalities, and businesses. Taking science out of the classroom, he led scores of students on field trips from the North Georgia Mountains to the Piedmont, lower coastal plain, and Atlantic shores. He developed courses with university colleagues including the Natural History of Georgia, Urban Tree Management, Community Oriented Forestry, and others.

Many U.S. and international students worked with Larry during their graduate studies and became lifelong friends. He was an active member and leader in professional organizations where he and his students presented their research findings. He was honored with awards for superior teaching and recognized for both leadership and service to the soil science profession. In addition to multiple accolades, Larry was toasted at the annual forestry holiday reception several times. People could count on Larry to tell amusing stories about embarrassing mistakes he’d made, such as the “two left feet” incident.

Sharing laughter and good times with family and friends were important to Larry. He enjoyed golf, hiking, hunting, poker, watching sci fi movies, and walking his loyal companion dogs. Larry had multiple myeloma, however that did not stop him from continuing to enjoy life to the most, whether work, play, sitting by the fire, or meeting up for coffee, pastry, or a slice of his famous apple pies.

He is survived by his father, Ed Morris Sr., wife, Sue Lawrence, son Art Morris and wife Ashley, daughter Laura Wray and husband James, grandchildren, Mason, Madelyn, Daniel, and Helen, sister, Kathy Celello and husband Jack, brother, Ed Morris Jr. and wife Dani Zinna, aunt Joyce Morris, cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family members, each one beloved.

A memorial mass was held at The Catholic Center in Athens on March 3, 2021, and a celebration of Larry’s life will be held at Flinchum’s Phoenix in Athens on November 13, 2021. The family requests donations to the Larry Morris Fellowship Fund to support future students. These may be sent to: Bridget B. Harden, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, 180 E. Green St., Athens, GA 30602.