Lathrop 'Bud' Palmer Morse Jr.

Lathrop “Bud” Palmer Morse, Jr., age 82, of Holland succumbed to Alzheimer’s Disease on January 6, 2018. Bud was born in Detroit, Michigan to Lathrop and Gladys Morse, growing up in Grosse Point, until college and living most of his life in Saugatuck and Holland, Michigan.

Bud is an Alumnus of Albion College where he received his Bachelor’s Degree and The University of Michigan where he received his Master’s Degree, both in Music Education.

Bud was a passionate man who enjoyed music, conversation, camping, golfing, boating and selling Amsoil. He was a teacher for 39 years, spending 35 years at Saugatuck/Douglas Public Schools, where he taught Band, Math and Drivers Education. Bud was also the Choir Director at First Congregational Church in Saugatuck for 35 years. He was a member of the Grand Rapids Symphonic Band, as well as the Saladan Shrine Band for many years, playing French Horn.

After retirement Bud and Carrie enjoyed traveling to all 50 states and many countries along with spending their winter months in Benson, Arizona for 11 years. While in Arizona, Bud volunteered as a Choir Director for Calvary Baptist Church. Both Bud and Carrie volunteered as cave guides at Kartchner State Park in the Caverns.

Bud is survived by his wife of 58 years Carrie Zimmerman Morse, daughters Lori (Joe) Siska and Julie (Jesse) Ramirez, and son Lathrop “Skip” (Carrie) Morse, III. They also have 15 loving grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Bud was also lucky to have a large loving network of extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws, brother Robert C. Morse and brother-in-law William G. Zimmerman.

Visitation with family will be from 3-4 pm followed by a Celebration of Life starting at 4 pm at Park Christian Reformed Church, 1496 West 32nd St.in Holland on Thursday, January 11. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation in Bud’s name to any of the following or a charity of your choice: Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Michigan Chapter, Park Christian Reformed Church of Holland, MI, First Congregational Church of Saugatuck, MI, or Freedom Village in Holland Michigan. Please visit lakeshorememorial.com to leave a message or memory for the family.