Morris Blumenthal of Oklahoma City, OK passed away peacefully at home, in his sleep, on January 25, 2020. He was born in Prague, Oklahoma, to parents Celia and Ernest Blumenthal and loved working in his family store as a young boy. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma, and after serving his country in the Korean war, Morris returned to OU for a masters in geology. There he met the love of his life, Linda, and were married one year to the day after their first date.
Many great people have walked this earth, and Morris Blumenthal was one of them. Newly married and working as a geologist in Colby, Kansas, Morris would ‘sit on’ wells. In his spare time, he read the stock section of the local newspaper and thought it looked like fun. Three years later and with no sales experience, he decided to leave geology to try the brokerage business. In an interview with then Bache and Co., Morris explained all he needed was a wall phone. He would stand – no desk or chair needed – and in one year’s time he would be the leading producer in the office. He did get a desk and chair, and within one year he made good on his promise.
Morris’ success steadily grew, and in time his reputation spread throughout the state and nation. His work ethic and professionalism were beyond reproach. His success was not a result of market expertise or scholarly finesse. Rather, Morris was the embodiment of hard work, customer service, plain common sense and the Golden Rule.
Morris handled every client’s money preciously and with care. Regardless of what people were able to invest, Morris treated everybody with equal and utmost respect. As Morris once said, “I don’t have a lot of clients. I have a lot of friends.”
In 1977, then Prudential Securities established a Chairman’s Council to honor the firm’s top 50 advisors in the nation. Morris was a member in each of his 44 years in the business. In 1991, he was honored as one of ten inaugural members of the distinguished National Broker Hall of Fame.
It is easy to list Morris’ many accolades. What is nearly impossible, however, is to adequately convey the depth of respect and esteem so many clients and friends felt for him. A former manager said of Morris, “He is the absolute epitome of what this business is about.” When a former client recently learned of Morris’ impending death, he said, “You simply cannot describe a person like that. What a true gentleman.”
Morris was an impeccable dresser and known for his colorful ties. Always wanting to look professional, he wore a coat and tie at all times, even on 100-degree days. Morris was a generous spirit. Whenever a young advisor needed advice, Morris would stop what he was doing to give his full attention. And he was very humble. He once said, “Most brokers have a private office. I don’t want it. I don’t want to feel important or look important or have any glass in front of me. I just want to be plain Morris.”
Morris had great faith in the power of truth and as such expressed his opinion in countless letters. He probably wrote over a thousand handwritten notes of congratulations, sympathy and get well wishes to family and friends.
The day following his retirement, Morris switched to a bolo tie and began volunteering as a greeter and docent at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. He also volunteered at the History Center and the OKC Bombing Memorial. He and Linda spent their winter months in Scottsdale, where he volunteered at the Musical Instrument Museum and a local hospital. Throughout the years, they traveled the world and especially treasured hiking in Colorado and Canada.
Morris is a past board member of the OKC Symphony and Arts Place II. For years he was a board member of Temple B'nai Israel, serving as President from 1981-1983.
Of all the roles in Morris’ life, none came close to that of family man. At 5’6’’ he was a giant of a husband, father and grandfather. Family was virtually everything to Morris, and to say we absolutely adored him is a profound understatement. He was a master of harmless practical jokes and would go to great lengths of preparation and detail to carry them out. He loved to tell stories and old jokes almost as much as his family loved to hear them, if nothing else just to watch him grab his stomach and laugh.
Known as “Moe” to his grandkids, he cherished being an active part of their lives. Whether sharing a meal, playing golf, taking them to school, spending time on vacation, watching his beloved Sooners, or just hanging out, being with Moe was simply the greatest. He made everybody feel so special and loved. We treasured him and will miss him beyond words.
Morris is survived by Linda, his loving wife of 63 years; sister Jean Blumenthal Scherotter (Dick); daughter Debbie Blumenthal Muzik (Bill) and their children Cliff (Stacy), Sam and Zach; son Jeff (Lori) and children Max, Amanda and Jack; daughter Susan Blumenthal Donchin (Steve) and children Ben (Stephanie) and Sammi. Services will be at 1:00 on Monday, January 27, at Temple B’nai Israel, 4901 N. Penn, Oklahoma City. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Blumenthal Endowment Fund of Temple B’nai Israel or to a charity of your choice.
The family wishes to express our most extreme gratitude for the excellent care of Morris’ round the clock caregivers. With love and appreciation we thank: Chazette Barnes, Glenda Butler, LaReisha Crankson, Roseanna Owens and Flor Zepeda as well as the loving nurses of Complete Hospice. From our hearts to yours, thank you.
