Morris Ray Skipper Sr.

Morris was born on September 25, 1933 in Brunswick County to the late Frances and Lela Skipper.

Morris was known to family and friends as "Happy", a nick name given by his grandfather when he was just a boy.

Morris joined the US Coast Guard and was stationed in Elizabeth City, NC and Cape Mae, NJ. During his enlisted days he became a certified life guard and was on the search and recovery team on his ship as well as played on the Coast Guards football team and by far the smaller man on his team.

On one of his passes home he met the love of his life. Morris is survived by his wife Carolyn of the home. They have four children Angie Aurgemma (Louis) of Harrells, NC, Brenda Owens (Rick) of Hampstead NC, Pam Knowles (Mike) of Rose Hill NC and one son Morris Ray Skipper, Jr.

Morris and Carolyn worked to start a small pest control company out of their home in 1973. Now Pestco Exterminating Company is one of the largest pest control companies in Southeastern NC.

Morris was a Christian man with a strong faith in Christ. He was a member of Zion Methodist Church in Leland. Morris could be found daily reading his bible and quoting scriptures.

Being a very caring and generous man he gave to many organizations, clubs and charities such as Waccamaw Boys and Girls Home, New Hanover County Little League, Brunswick County Sheriff Department, Wilmington Santa Cop for Children, Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity and the Wilmington Police Recreational Association.

Morris lived a full life belonging to many associations, such as NC Pest Control Association local as well as national. He was the President of the Woodsman of the World chapter 6, a member of the Brunswick County sporting dog association, and a sponsor and participant of Ducks Unlimited.

So full of life Morris loved to ride his loyal companion "King" on his ranger. He was an avid hunter and was one of the founders of Monks Branch Hunting club, now known as Grassy Branch, where he served as president for more than 25 years. Morris loved to fish so he built a cabin and pond on his old homestead which he nicknamed “The Old Place”.

Later he built his retirement home on Town Creek Road and a large pond was then dug and stocked with cat fish. Warm days you could find him feeding the ducks by the pond and tending over 500 roses that surround his home accented in purple; to say the least his favorite flower was a rose and his favorite color was purple.

Morris would have a nickname for his loved ones and family "that's how you know he liked you." It was nothing to hear him call for “ole ungins, punk, bristle face, white, tar baby , the Doctor , ole baldy , fish and even pooter boy pooter”. Many nicknames he was honored to have, “Happy, HappyCat, Happy Jack, and Bug Man”; his favorite by far was PAPA.

Papa left behind 8 grandchildren, Amanda Kraynick, Chris Aurgemma, Jason Flockhart, Trey Owens, Hayley Skipper, Jessica Wilson, Amanda Allen, and Krysta Knowles.

To make sure his legacy lives on is blessed by 9 great grandchildren, little Chris, Ethan, Braeden, Kylee, Taylor, Suzanna, Madi, Johnnie, and Charlie.

Mr. Skipper left behind his extended family, the wonderful and loyal Pestco and Coastal Carolina Resource Group Associates: Adam Tower, Austin S. Harvey, Bobby D. Pierce, Bobby Lee Avery II, Brenda S. Owens, Bryan A. McCollum, Daniel R. Lucas, David McFarland, Edward C. Gibson, Hayley A. Skipper, Jeanette Skipper, Katherine A. Tinkler, Morris R. Skipper, Jr., Nicholas S. Howard, Perry G. Smith, Raeford C. Horrell, Jr., Richard A. Owens, Richard A. Owens, Jr., Richard A. Owens, III, Ronald P. Graham, Jr., Ryan C. Lapps, Scott D. Harvey, Sheron E. Grady, William H. Huff, Gerald N. Branch, and Nicholas L. Garner.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter- in- law, Tara Skipper; 3 brothers, Henry Ford Skipper, Odell Skipper and Dewey Skipper; and 3 sisters, Marie Wescott, Alberta Pavlovich and Juanita Wescott.

Through all his giving, caring, sense of humor and his strong faith of God-Our husband, daddy, and Papa, touched many lives and will be truly missed by many, especially his family.

The family will receive friends on Friday, February 12 from 6-8 p.m. at Coble Ward-Smith Funeral Service. Funeral Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 13 at the funeral home with Pastor Aaron Wescott, and Pastor Buddy “Floyd” Wescott officiating.

Pallbearers will be Billy Flockhart, Scott Harvey, Bryan Eady, Danny Craver, Michael McNeil and Gerald Branch. Honorary Pallbearer will be Albert Brown.

Interment with Military Honors will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park.

Condolences to the family may be offered at www.coblewardsmithwilmington.com