Ronald L. Morphew

A celebration of life service will be held at 12:00 Noon, Tuesday November 26, 2019 at Resthaven/Carr-Tenney Memorial Gardens 4310 East Southern Ave. Phoenix, Arizona 85042. Open visitation is scheduled from 10:00 AM to 12:00 noon, with services and a light meal to follow immediately after the services. Pastor Harry Carnes will be officiating. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Gardens.

Ronald was born at home in Garden City, Arkansas to Mary Belle and Junius (June) Palmer Morphew on April 27, 1930. In 1954 he met married his first wife Lois LaVerne Kersey and together they had two children, Deborah Lynn and Patrick Louise. In 1968 Ron met and married his soul mate, Lillian Joan Vannoy on February 17, 1968 in Hiram, Missouri. Together they had two daughters, Lisa Kay and Jenny Lynn.

Ron was a perfectionist at anything he did. Working as a mechanic most of his life, he could fix just about anything. He was one of the best mechanics you could ever find, and brakes and air conditioning was a specialty of his. He lived and worked Los Angles California for a while, working for a large store chain doing brakes. He later owned and operated his own gas stations where he worked on the automobiles of his faithful customers and pumped their gas. Ron eventually opened and operated his own business; one was in Phoenix and later one in Missouri. The one is Phoenix was the very last gas station on Central Avenue (Phillips 66) as you drove to go up on South Mountain. My my, things have changed a lot since those days.

After a time, sold the business and decided to do things differently. He went to work for the company called Western Auto Stores in south Phoenix and eventually became the Service manager there for many years until they closed their doors for good. After that he went to work for Pep Boys, where he eventually retired.

Ron was passionate about his gift of music. Although he had no formal training, he could play several instruments, but primarily the piano and organ were his favorite. The family sang and made music together. Papa June sang base and played rhythm with a matchbook or spoons. Uncle Willy sang and played guitar or maybe a banjo, and everyone else joined in. He took great pride in singing and vocalizing what was on his heart whether it was music or critiquing what someone was wearing on T.V. Oh and he was an avid channel surfer.

When dad had the remote, you might as well get a book, because the chances of finishing a single program was slim to none. Cars were a major part of his life. He loved a well-tuned vehicle and always kept them in tiptop running order. He also enjoyed going for long drives on a weekend which was usually up to Mayer Arizona where he would visit is buddy Cliff. Cliff also happened to be the husband of Joan’s sister Margie. And somehow, he always managed to fit in a road trip to travel back to Texarkana Arkansas and then on to Missouri to visit family.

Another of Ron’s passions was flying! On Sundays would drive to Sky Harbor Airport and stand on the observation deck and watch the planes land and take off for as long as he could stand the wind and the noise. And he often drove to the end of the what was then the end of the runway on a dirt road (now the 143 across I-10). He would stand at the fence or sit on the car to watch the planes land and take off. Ron wanted to fly like his brother Gil, and so he did! He took lessons and had many flights. Earning his pilot’s license, he enjoyed taking small trips in a little Cessna aircraft every chance he had.

Ron was a veteran of (Korean War) and served in the U.S. Army from 1950 to 1952, and his outfit was awarded several medals. There was not much discussion about the Korean conflict, this was a difficult times for many. Nevertheless, he proud to serve his country. When his tour was done, he was equally happy to be back home with family and friends.

Religion was important in the Morphew house. Mama Mary Belle was strong in her Pentecostal faith and took him and his siblings to church often. Later in life Ron became involved in (his church where he was instrumental in leading the choir and preparing the Sunday special music. Ron loved the Lord, and at the mere mention of the name of Jesus he could get choked up. He enjoyed playing music at home where he would spend hours making his own recorded cassette tapes to give to people.

Papa June was a very important figure in Ron’s life as well. Papa June was a tree grafter, and a farmer. He could grow anything, and he had the most beautiful flowers and trees you would ever see in the yard. Ron had the farmer’s knack too! He would often make good use of the land behind the house where he planted a large garden. He would have pole beans, black eyed peas, purple hull peas, Okra nearly as tall as he was and tomato’s that had the best flavor.

Ron or Ronnie as his family would call him or sometimes “Boziono”, comes from a large family and he leaves a large family after his 89 years on this earth. Ron was blessed to have three daughters and one son with 11 grandchildren,11 Great Greatgrandchildren, and 11 Great Great Grandchildren! He is preceded in death by his father June, his older sister Patsy Ruth, Mary Belle his mother, Patrick Louis, son, his first wife, Lois LaVerne Kersey-Corbin, and of course many Aunts and Uncles.

Ron is survived by his wife and soulmate Lillian of 52 years, his daughter, Deborah Lynn Spear of Phoenix, Lisa Kay Morphew of Phoenix, Jenny Lynn Morphew-Muth of Phoenix, brothers Gilbert (Gil) Palmer Morphew of Phoenix, William (Willy) Hiram Morphew of Phoenix, and many cousins too numerous to count.

Ron’s Grandchildren: (11). Ted (Tee Jay) M. Brown of Oregon, Justin Lynn Brown-Rush of Washington, Amy Loren Rush-Stouffer of Phoenix, Michael Louis of South Carolina, and Zach, Nicky, Conner, Jayden, Kaitlyn, Xander, and Gavin all Phoenix/Chandler.

Ron’s Great-Grandchildren: (11) Cody Lane of Kansas, Emalee Brown-Walton of Oregon, Danyelle Brown of Nevada, Brandon and Joseph of Oregon, Makayla of Texas Mackenzie and Slade of Oregon, and Peyton, Harper, Gwendolyn of Phoenix.

Ron’s Great-Great-Great grandchildren are as follows: (11) Cody has 3 children - Avery, Carter, Brantley; Emalee with 2 children, Abagail and Lane; Makala has 1 a daughter; Mackenzie has 1 daughter Hadley, and Michael has 4 children.

Pallbearers will be (Derek Muth, Earl Spear, Jef Cutler, Nicky Morphew, Zach, Zander + Gavin Muth, Connor Morphew, and Michael (Chip) Stouffer.

Memorials may be given to (The Vila Hospice in Mesa)

The family of (Ronald Morphew) wishes to extend sincere thanks to all the prayers and good wishes during this difficult time, and especially for all the fine nurses and physicians that cared for Ron during his last days at Good Samaritan Banner University Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona