Francis Albert Morris

Dr. Francis Albert Morris Jr., 87, died on August 27, 2015. Frank was born on July 21, 1928 in Beaumont, Texas to Francis Albert Morris Sr. and Helen Schwarz Morris. At the age of 16, he enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin and received a Bachelor of Science degree. He attended Duke University Medical School and later trained in plastic surgery with a specialty in hand surgery. During the Korean War, Frank was a Captain in the U.S. Army where he was Chief of Surgery for the 34th Mash Hospital near the 38th Parallel.

Frank met Patricia (Pat) Crum Morris at Duke Hospital where she was working—they fell in love and were engaged in New York City where Frank was completing his residency at Roosevelt Hospital. Married on December 23, 1958, Frank and Pat then moved to Austin where Frank set-up his medical practice and they started a family. Frank was Austin's first plastic surgeon and became a mentor for many young doctors to follow. He served as President of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and practiced with distinction in our community for over thirty years until his retirement. Frank also felt called to serve others elsewhere in the world—through gifts of surgery and compassion, he was instrumental in helping "cleft palette" patients in Haiti transform their lives from rejection and isolation to one of dignity, self-esteem and beauty.

Though a gifted surgeon, his work wasn't everything—he believed in serving his community. He was a Board Member of St. David's Hospital and a Board Member for the Friends of the Governor's Mansion. He was appointed by the Governor to the Texas Commission on the Arts and he also served on the Board of Laguna Gloria Art Museum. Frank was a member of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church and served on its Vestry.

Frank was especially loved for his deftly quick wit and personal charm—he was talented, elegant and dignified yet he could always set people at ease with his humor which was uniquely his own. Frank found beauty in many things—he had a particular love for art and music. An artist in his own right, he appreciated talent and believed in supporting his friends in their artistic endeavors—friends like Charles Umlauf, Bill Hoey and Roi James. He was also a devoted supporter of Good Shepherd Church's Choir program.

Most of all though, Frank saw beauty in his marriage and family. His marriage with Pat was a testament of love beyond words and it is comforting to know that they are re-united in God's presence. Frank is survived by his son Francis Albert Morris III (Frank) and his wife Nancy; his daughter Catherine (Catta) O'Connor and her husband Jim; and seven grandchildren: Albert Morris, Tom Morris, William Morris, Mary Elizabeth Morris, James Morris, Claire O'Connor and Patrick O'Connor.

Services to honor Frank's life will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2015 at 10:00 AM at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. Memorial contributions may be made to the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. We would also like to thank the nursing staff at Querencia for their caring attention to our Father in his last days.