Daniel Morley Jr.

Dan was born in Edenbower (now Roseburg), OR, the middle child of three children born to Daniel, Sr., & Annabelle (Findlay) Morley. Dan also had 12 half brothers & sisters. He graduated from Salem High in 1940. He enlisted into the US Navy during WWII on Sept 22, 1942, with time on the USS Hector, a Vulcan class Repair Ship (larger than a Liberty Ship), before transferring to the USS Tawasa (ATF-92 Navajo Class Fleet Ocean Tug) for the Marianas Operation that included the assault & occupation of Saipan in 1944. He was honorably discharged as an Electrician's Mate 2nd Class on Nov 30, 1945.

Returning to Salem after the war, he met Phyllis Jane Sim and they married on Aug 14, 1948. The couple moved to Minneapolis, MN, so Dan could attend Northwestern Bible School. After receiving his diploma in 1951, they returned to Salem, Oregon, where they raised a family of four boys. Phyllis died in 1990. Dan married Patricia Ann Preuit on May 27, 1995 adding with an open heart her four adult children to his life.

Dan had diverse jobs during his lifetime: from road construction for his father-in-law Thomas Sim, to being the manager of the Men's Dept. at Meier & Frank. Dan's main career was in workers' compensation insurance. After 31 yrs, all with SAIF Corp, he retired in 1983 as the Underwriting Manager.

Dan kept very busy during retirement: he traveled around the world for pleasure & as a volunteer helper with NW Medical Teams, for whom he also gathered donated medical supplies from around town. For 28 yrs he was a member of Kiwanis. For 18 yrs he was a volunteer reader who was known as Granddad to the children at Bush & then Highland Elementary Schools. One of those years, he was acknowledged as volunteer of the year for the Salem-Keizer School Dist. He was also a volunteer caregiver for children at Family Building Blocks. He was an avid reader of historical books and collected stamps & coins. And, he slept with his TV remote so he could watch every sportscast.

Dan loved the study of language & speaking his entire life. He was part of the yearbook staff in both high school & college, a member of Toastmasters, a prolific writer of poetry for every occasion, a punster and a 'decomposer' of songs. At age 62 he returned to college and was proud to become proficient in both German & Spanish. He also loved making various sounds for every young child he met.

Dan was the longest living attender of First Baptist Church and was looking forward to finally meeting his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and walking the streets of Heaven.

Dan was preceded in death by his sister Betty Josephine, brother Thomas Edgar, & son Gregory Thomas. Dan is survived by his wife Patty, children Rick & Patty of Kennewick, WA; Kent, of Aurora, CO; Curtis & Joyce, Cap Preuit, Lyle & Nancy Preuit, Suanne & Richard Earle, and Sylvia Morley, all of Salem, OR, and Loralie & David Thompson, of Independence, OR, 19 grandchildren & 10 and 1/2 great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Medical Teams International.