Ronald Duane Morse Sr.

Funeral services will be held at 11 am Saturday, September 24th at Cotten Funeral Home. Interment will be at Greenleaf Memorial Park. The family will receive friends following the service at the home of his daughter Donna Harmatuk, 330 Half Moon Road, New Bern.

Ron was retired from the United States Army and US Government with over 40 years of service. He served his country with distinction for 6 years in the U.S. Marine Corps (SGT) during the Korea War and later served with the National Guard/Army Reserve during the Gulf War (CW4). He retired from the Army in 1995 as CW4 AUS and also retired with the Department of Defense (GS-15). He was awarded the Legion of Merit Medal; Meritorious Service Medal; Army Commendation Medal w/3 Oak Leaf Clusters; Army Achievement Medal w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters; USMC Good Conduct Medal; USMC Service commendation Medal; National Defense Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/2 Hourglasses; NCO Professional Ribbon; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Ribbon w/Silver Cluster; NGUS Service Ribbon w/2 Oak Leaf Clusters; NGUS Active Duty Ribbon w/4 Oak Leaf Clusters; and NGUS Commendation Medal. He was born in Elmira, Chemung County, New York to the late Robert Leroy Morse and Angeline Marie Morga.

During his lifetime, he was a Boy Scout Leader to include the Cub Scouts with his sons. He also coached and managed Little League baseball and football teams. Ron held membership in a broad array of professional fraternal societies including the American Legion, Reserve Officers Association of the United States, National Rifle Association of America, NC Sheiff’s Association, and the NC Rifle and Pistol Association. He formed the Ghent Neighborhood Association in New Bern and served as the president for over five years prior to moving to Emerald Isle, NC.

He is predeceased by his wife Beulah Thomas Morse.

He is survived by his daughters Donna Lynn Harmatuk and husband Bill, Debbie Morse Gent; sons Ronald Duane Morse, Jr. and wife Lisa, Robert Lance Morse; three grandchildren, Rachel Harmatuk Pino, William Paul Harmatuk, Jr., Jonathan Morse all of New Bern; sister Lillian Miller of West Palm Beach, FL; and former wife Martha A. Friend of Mayo, FL.

Arrangements are by Cotten Funeral Home and Crematory. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.cottenfuneralhome.com.