Dr. Dolen R. Morris

ROYAL PALM BEACH, Fla. < Dr. Dolen R. Morris, 58, of Royal Pam Beach, Fla., passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2007, of a heart attack. Dolen was born in Poplar Bluff, Mo., Dec. 2 1948, and moved with his family to Port Byron in 1963. He graduated from Port Byron High School in 1967. He graduated from ACC with an associate degree and graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor"s degree in 1975 and a master"s degree in 1977. He earned his doctorate from Texas A & M in 1985. Dolen served his country in the U.S. Army, serving in Vietnam. He later served two years in the Peace Corps stationed in Thailand. Dolen worked in numerous experimental stations in Louisiana and West Virginia before moving to Florida. He was currently employed with the US Department of Agriculture at Canal Point, Fla., as a soil scientist. Dolen was a quiet, gentle man who adored his wife and family. He enjoyed traveling and listening to gospel music and the old do-wop music of the 50s and 60s. He truly loved the profession he chose and his co-workers at Canal Point. He is survived by his wife, Pat and his daughters, Deanna and Debbie Morris, all of Royal Palm Beach; his mother and father, Nancy and the Rev. Dolen Morris of Auburn; his sister, Kay (Mike) Dougherty of Auburn; his brother, Dennis (Kim) Morris of Rochester; nieces, Johanna (Matt) Kuhlmann and Veronica (Jordon) Coughlin, all of Port Byron; nephew, Brent Wilson of Rochester; several great-nieces and nephews all of New York; and many relatives in Arkansas. Calling hours will be 6 to 8 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 28 at Palms West Funeral Home in Royal Palm Beach. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 2 in Broseley, Missouri at Brown"s Chapel, with burial following. A memorial service for local friends and family will be 2 p.m. Nov. 17 at the First United Methodist Church, South Street, Port Byron. Donations, in lieu of flowers may be made to the charity of one"s choice in Dolen"s honor. Special thanks to the USDA at Canal Point for all their help and thoughtfulness during this difficult time. We would also like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Palms West Hospital for their help in attending Dolen. To send a message to the family, sign our guest book at www.auburnpub.com and click on obituaries.