Major Morris passed away May 11, 2021. He entered the US Army after graduating from high school in 1963 and served an enlisted man with the 82nd Airborne Division and 10th Special Forces Group, attaining the rank of SSG. He attended the Warrant Officer Flight program class 67-25 and 68-501 and upon graduation was immediately assigned to the 240th Assault Helicopter Company, Bear Cat, RVN flying the UH-1H and UH-1C helicopters. Towards the end of his first tour he was promoted to CW2 in the morning and later that same day was recalled to HQ and presented with a direct Commission to 2LT. He returned to Ft. Wolters as an instructor and after a year returned to Vietnam being assigned to D Company, 101st Aviation Battalion, 101st Airborne Division flying the AH-1G Cobra. During his two tours in Vietnam, he was shot down 7 times and flew over 1800 combat hours. He earned the Silver Star, Bronze Star, 4-Distinguished Flying Crosses with valor, 4-Purple Hearts, 53 Air Medals, three with V Device. ARCOM with V and several misc. I've been there medals. After Vietnam, he commanded units in the 82nd Airborne Division and Special Forces. He was a qualified paratrooper in both the US Army and the German Army. He retired in 1988 after 25 years of service, and went in to Law Enforcement retiring after 20 years as the Assistant Chief of Police in Phenix City, Alabama.
Major Morris is predeceased by his wife, Virginia Morris, sons, Jeffery Allen Morris and Richard Lee Morris. He is survived by his son, Howard and daughter, Tara-Sue, four sisters, Barbara Sturgeon, Erica Morris-Zahrt, Peggy Denney, Melody Arcilla, his Uncle Cecil Moore and six grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held at 12:30pm Monday, May 17, 2021 in Lakewood Hall at Striffler-Hamby, Phenix City, AL. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Fort Mitchell National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 11:00 A.M. - 12:30 P.M. Monday prior to the service.
