Tony,  were do I begin.  A special man and a GREAT father in law. Lunches and talks at the park when he was a bus driver for the city and I worked downtown Modesto. Always had a great story from the past. Thank you for all the memories and love. 

Tony Morris,
If you knew him you knew a mostly quiet, calm, and peaceful man; he was a family man  with a story book childhood. He spent summers on the farm in east Texas with Ma and Pa, his maternal grandparents, running the fields with his cousins Don and Mike, and enjoying life with his family. The stories he would tell us were from times long past. His grandparents were born in the late 1800s and it was them who helped shape who he had become. Further, his parents, James Boyett and Helen Laree, were born during the greatest generation. Tony grew up in Texas but, spent most of his adult life in California. His love of Texas was infectious, always looking forward to the next road trip for a visit.  

With Judy, his partner, love of his life, and wife of over 40 years, together they showed continuous hospitality. No matter who came to their house, they were welcome. With my wife Dilek and kids Sarah, Ian, Kathy, and Amanda, when we showed up it was like the bus emptied out onto their lawn...we were welcome all the same. He showed love and hospitality to family and friends, and was also able to care for his mother during her sunset years.   

A prominent interest of his was horses. Whenever possible he would have a horse or pony stabled that he would care for and enjoy. For many years he would trek over to Bishop, California for the annual Mule Days celebration. Dilek and I were able to join him and Judy one year and it was memorable.  Along with horses, he and I share the same love of steam trains.  

One night while talking alone in his garage, I understood his conviction and that is the love he has for all five of his boys. Surviving his wife, Judy by only four short months, he leaves behind a blended family of seven children, 15 grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren. My father, Tony Morris, did what we all expect of ourselves and that is to do the best we can. Dad, your spirit lives on in all of us. You are loved and will be missed.


My grandfather passed at 11:11 at night. What i have learned from him is he lived his life in his truth.  He was born in texas during times of segregation and disparaging acts towards minorities. Interracial marriages were illegal. Including his own grandparents'. With that His grandmother had to denounce her native American heritage.we have heard stories from his mother(my great grandmother) of how her skin was a little too sun-kissed  to sit at this side of the resturaunt. My grandfather was proud. Proud of his heritage. Proud of his roots. Going to his house was evident. Native motifs of the last ride. Depicting the one lone Indian on their horse. The meaning of the piece shows the defeat of the native Americans. The meaning of such pieces pass over naive young children when visiting. He loved horses. Whether owning a few himself he had books and pictures of art on his walls of the wild stallions running freely. Thats how he lived his younger life. Freely. He finally settled back down in Modesto and worked for years. He was a hard worker. And a man of few words. Some might say very somber. But when he spoke it was always something meaningful and thoughtful. And at the of chance hearing him laugh. It always contagious. The last few years seeing my grandfather lose his ability to freely move around was heartbreaking. He is now free from that. His life stories will be passed on for generations.  

You all can leave me out of an obituary but can never forget memories my grandfather and I have had.

OBITUARY

Anthony Boyett Morris

15 November, 1941 – 8 December, 2019

Lakewood Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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