John David Morrow

Retired Air Force Lt. Colonel John D. Morrow, 90, of Colorado Springs died on Feb. 5, 2021. The two most important things in his life were his family and his service to his country in the United States Air Force.

John was born June 28, 1930 in Richmond, VA to Colonel Eugene E. Morrow and Elizabeth (Holloway) Morrow. The family settled in Dallas, TX upon Eugene’s retirement from the U.S. Army.

As valedictorian, John received a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics (minor in Religion) from Southern Methodist University, having been elected to Phi Beta Kappa in his junior year. He was also a member of Phi Delta Theta. Through the ROTC program, John earned his Air Force officer commission as a second lieutenant. Before returning to SMU to earn his Master’s Degree in Mathematics, John studied meteorology as an honors student at the University of Chicago.

While in Chicago, John met his future wife, Margo Silberg. The two were married on September 19, 1953 in Dallas and their love story lasted 65 years.

During his twenty-year Air Force career, Lt. Col. Morrow served as a faculty member at the U.S. Air Force Academy (1964-1968), a Senior Navigator, and earned several decorations and awards including: The Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with Silver and Bronze Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, and Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards. He was also a member of the Retired Officers Association.

John retired to Colorado Springs in 1972 with his beloved wife Margo and their three daughters, Bonnie, Katherine and Christine. Post military, he was a stockbroker with Merrill Lynch, E.F. Hutton, and Quick & Reilly.

Lt. Col. Morrow is survived by his daughter Bonnie Soares and partner David Holbrook; his daughter Christine Ashlock and husband Jerry (whom John greatly loved and admired); his daughter Katherine Livornese; his grandchildren Aaron Soares and partner Dominique Miller, Jacob Soares and partner Sandi Rocha, Adam Ashlock and partner Whitney Kerr, Meredith Ashlock and husband Jeff Wolfe, Eric Livornese and wife Erika, Ryan Livornese and partner Sandy George, Emily Kuta and husband Derrick; his great granddaughter Lauren Livornese and great grandson Jesse Flores.

Memorial contributions may be made to Doctors Without Borders in lieu of flowers. Due to COVID precautions, a private graveside service with full military honors will be held.