Lucius Dillon Morton, age 74, died peacefully at Columbus Hospice on January 8, 2022. Funeral services celebrating his life will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church at 2 pm on Tuesday, January 11, with burial at Parkhill Cemetery, the Reverend Tim Graham officiating.
Lucius was born January 31, 1947, in Columbus, Georgia, the youngest child of Frances Ann Dillon and C.R. “Billy” Morton. He attended Trinity School and St. Elmo in Columbus before heading to compete with the St. Andrews School swim team in Boca Raton, Florida, for two years of high school. He graduated from Columbus High School in 1965. Before starting college, Lucius served two years in the United States Navy on the U.S.S. Anchorage. He graduated from Columbus College, with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science.
After college, Lucius began his career at Columbus Bank and Trust/Synovus Financial Corp., where he remained a dedicated employee for 38 years. He brought a strong work ethic and caring leadership to his service in Synovus’ Loan Administration Division and is fondly remembered for his integrity and unfailing sense of humor. Lucius was mischievous and always looking for an opportunity to share a laugh with others. He was big-hearted and compassionate, reflected in his work as a court-appointed child advocate in the local juvenile court system for ten years. In retirement, Lucius enjoyed spending time with family and friends, especially after-school milkshakes with his grandson, Ben, and regular beach trips to Sunnyside Beach, Florida. He was happiest when all of the “grands” could be with him and Suzanne at the beach enjoying the surf, pool-side cookouts, and sunsets together.
Lucius was an active and devoted member of Trinity Episcopal Church. Though never in the choir, he sang with joy and fervor (though poorly) from the pews, and later from his home, on Sunday mornings. He loved parish life at Trinity and gladly served in various capacities, including as an usher, Vestry member, and St. Francis Fund committee member. In most recent years, being a verger was most meaningful to him, having a deep love of the liturgy and the Church.
Lucius loved football Saturdays when he could cheer on his beloved Georgia Bulldogs (and against any team in orange), always after a Dinglewood scrambled dog for lunch when not in Athens for the game. Come Monday, he was ever ready to join in post-game analysis and discussion of local news and politics with his “Monday lunch” pals. Lucius’ family is thankful for their care and accommodations made for him after his stroke in 2016; these weekly gatherings were life-giving to him.
Survivors include his wife of 30 years, Suzanne Aderhold Morton; daughters, Mollie Smith (Robin) of Columbus, Georgia, and Sarah Beth Bishop (Justin) of North Branch, Minnesota; son, Garrett Ogletree (Kristen) of Cataula, Georgia; and grandchildren, Ben Smith, Seth Bishop and Ashlyn Ogletree. He is also survived by his sister, Ann Robinson of Asheville, North Carolina; brother, Read Morton (Terrie) of Atlanta, Georgia; and many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials may be made to the St. Francis Fund at Trinity Episcopal Church, Columbus Hospice, or another charity of your choosing in honor of a life well-lived.
