Morris was born to Eunice and Dwight Beck on February 23,, 1922 in Boise, Idaho. He passed away March 16, 2013 at the Kingswood Health Center.
Morris grew up in the Pacific Northwest and graduated from Eatonville High School in the state of Washington. He attended the University of Washington before enlisting in the Navy during WWII. The Navy sent him to the University of Kansas where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. While at KU he met the love of his life Patricia Sigman, whom he married in April of 1945.
Morris and Pat had their five children while in the Kansas City area before moving to the San Francisco Bay Area, where they lived for 25 years. They returned to KC in 1980, retiring in Overland Park, Kansas.
Morris began his career at Black and Veatch in Kansas City. On the west coast he worked for Keller & Gannon and spent12 years at the University of Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. When he and Pat returned to Kansas City, he worked as an engineer at Smith and Boucher until his retirement. Once retired, he enjoyed volunteer work for St. Joseph’s Hospital, Habitat for Humanity and his Catholic Church community. Morris and Pat were founding members and both became very active at the Church of the Ascension.
One of Morris’s greatest joys was being a father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He was an accomplished woodworker; a passion started in his youth and continued throughout his life. He also enjoyed bowling, dancing, and playing bridge. Morris and Pat loved to travel and enjoyed sharing their home with many pets over the years.
Morris was preceded in death by his wife Pat and oldest son Dwight Beck. He is survived by children Sandie McCray (Tim), Kenneth Beck (Robert White), Barbara Johns and Leah La Barr; daughter-in-law Karen Beck; 9 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday March 21st 10 a.m. at Church of the Ascension, 9510 West 127th, Overland Park. Visitation will be held from 9 to 10 a.m., one hour prior to the service. A reception will follow the service. Inurnment will be private at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.
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