George C. Morris

Funeral will be at 3:30 pm Saturday, May 23, 2015 at Collier Butler Chapel for George C. Morris, 91, Gadsden, who passed away on Wednesday, May 20, 2015. Burial will be at Crestwood Cemetery. Nephew Larry Morris will be officiating. The family will accept friends from 1:30 to 3:30 prior to the service. Collier-Butler Funeral and Cremation Services is directing.

Mr. Morris was born in Hokes Bluff on December 6, 1923 and was a member of First United Methodist Church of Rainbow City. In 1939, he took a job with the CCC (Civil Conservation Corps) and moved to Medford, Oregon. Three years later, in 1942, he returned to Alabama and joined the Army Unit in Birmingham within the Tank Division. He served under the 554th Heavy Maintenance Battalion under the 9th Army. During his military time he served in Germany, France and Holland. He hauled tanks to front lines and was in four major battles, the last being the Battle of the Bulge. When the war was over, he came home to Gadsden and began work for the Alabama Oil Company as the Bookkeeper and Assistant Manager. After 20 years, he purchased the company in 1965 and became President at that point. He was very successful in growing the company and sold out and retired in 1998. He served on the Board of Directors of First Alabama Bank and was the President of the Alabama Oil Jobbers Association in 1977. He served as a volunteer for the Kidney Foundation, the Chamber of Commerce and many more organizations.

He loved his family dearly, and in his later years enjoyed beach trips with them, fishing, RVing, visiting at Jacks every morning with his best friends, sitting outside with his dog Duke, tending to his garden and living life to the fullest. He was strong, yet gentle, confident yet humble, sociable yet quiet. He was a true Southern gentleman and was a cherished friend to many and will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents; George Jefferson and Beulah Marker Morris, Wife; Mary Morris, and all six brothers, Roy, Troy, Bill, Grady, James and Ernest Morris.

He is survived by his children; Don (Susan) Morris, Sandra Morris (Bill) Chance, Mike Teat, Sharon (Terry) Tumlin, Grandchildren; Christi (Larry) Hicks, Leslie (Jeff) Harvey, Lori (Brandon) Snyder, Michael (Cathi) Teat, Great Grandchildren; Ana Morris, Aaron Coleman, John Harvey, Emily Harvey, Brittain Snyder, Brooklyn Snyder and Rylee Hannah. Great-Great Granddaughter; Ella Morris, and many special nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Larry Hicks, Jeff Harvey, Brandon Snyder, Michael Teat, John Harvey, Jimmy Morris, Kelly Morris, Billy Morris, David Ayers, and Tommy Pitts. Honorary Pallbearers are the "Breakfast Friends".

The family would like to give special thanks to Dr. Jason Ayres, Lawley Hospice and special staff at Gadsden Regional Medical Center. Flowers will be accepted or memorials can be made to The Alabama Kidney Foundation.