Woodrow Friedlander Morrison, Jr.

It is with heavy hearts we mourn the loss of our husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle; a treasured mentor, teacher, and friend; and a respected Haida Elder. Woody passed away on January 28, 2021 after a 28-day fight with COVID-19 with his wife, daughter and son (his wife) either at his side or via Zoom.

Predeceased by his parents, Woodrow Wilson Morrison, Sr., and Virginia (Cloud) Morrison; his infant brother Edward, his half-siblings Mayella & George, and his favorite “girl-nephew” Misty Garner. Survived by Linda, wife/partner of 27 years, daughter Erika (Devin), son Detlef (Rachel), grandchildren, Scott and Brett; his siblings Susan, Diann, Dorthy, Thom, Donna, Edward and Kathy “Tine.” He leaves his sister-in-law Donna, countless cousins, nieces, and nephews. He is survived by his dear friend of sixty years, Walther Ramsey, Mike and Miquie’l Dangeli, Todd Devries, his VACFSS co-workers and his beloved cat, Camille.

Woody was born in Ketchikan, Alaska and raised in Hydaburg, Alaska. Through his early years, Woody went to school in Hydaburg and later attended boarding schools. After graduating from Mt. Edgecumbe High School in 1959, he left Alaska to attend college and serve in the Navy. He was driven and loved to learn. Woody was an electrician in the Navy, he worked on the Alaska Pipeline, he owned a grocery store in Shageluk, Alaska, he helped to break trail for the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race and he helped his dad commercial fish in summertime, he earned a law degree from the University of New Mexico. He eventually moved to Vancouver, B.C. and started in the movie industry dressing the sets of “The X-Files” and “Battlestar Galactica.” He worked his way through the movie industry ranks to cultural consultant. Woody worked on an estimated 17 films.

Being Haida was central to who Woody was. He was a wisdom keeper, teacher and a storyteller. It was his mission to share what he knew through writing, teaching and storytelling. His Haida name was Ḵáawan Sangáa meaning “he brings a special day.” He bridged people and was inclusive. Woody had a gift of making everyone he crossed paths with feel appreciated and valued. He took special pleasure teaching a parenting group and providing guidance and support throughout the Vancouver and Haida communities. He was a perpetual student and teacher.

He loved to walk, ride his bike or drive his convertible Saab around his beloved Vancouver. Prior to COVID-19, Woody and Linda, loved to visit with their friends on Broadway Street. They would walk to pick up coffee at Tim Hortons, visit with Emilie and staff at Pulpfiction Books, buy their favorite soup or chicken from the Parthenon Market and/or pick-up dinner and Greek dessert from Olympia Pizza. Every Sunday, they would go out to pick up the newspaper as Woody loved to solve the weekly New York Times crossword puzzle.

Woody planned to live a long time. He had 2021 planned out to include speaking engagements, working with his daughter on his stories and scripts and traveling with his son and grandson. He loved life and lived it fully.

The family is holding an ONLINE Celebration of Life on Saturday, February 27, 2021, at 1pm PST. Details are available at https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/woodymorrison. Additional services will take place at a future date in Vancouver, B.C., Seattle, Washington, and Hydaburg, Alaska.