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Clarence Morrison Obituary


Judge Clarence C. Morrison entered into eternal rest on Thanksgiving Day. A leader in the civil rights and justice communities, he had many accomplishments. In 1980, he became the first African American judge on the Dauphin County Court of Common Pleas, where he served for two decades, including serving as President Judge.
Judge Morrison graduated from Howard University in 1954, and thereafter served in the military. Following his Army service, he earned his law degree from Howard University Law School in 1959.
Upon graduation from law school, Judge Morrison and his wife Grace moved to Harrisburg, where he began his law practice and long record of service to the community. He was a founding member of the Tabernacle Baptist Church, where he taught Sunday school and served as trustee and legal advisor. He was a ten year Boy Scout leader, a member of the Mayor's Committee on Human Relations, member of the Board of Directors of the Dauphin NAACP, Director and President of the Harrisburg Housing Authority, and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Tri-County Opportunities and Industrialization Centers (OIC).
A devoted and beloved husband, father and grandfather, Judge Morrison is survived by his wife of 60 years, Grace Fulton Morrison. He is also survived by his sister, Miriam Tomlinson, two sons, Derricott and Mark (wife Kathy), three grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Judge Morrison's funeral service will begin at 10:30am on Saturday, December 1, 2012 at Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 212 North Progress Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17102. Visitation will precede the funeral from 8:00am to 10:30am at the church. Officiating at the service will be his pastor, Reverend Arthur L. Brown.
Internment will take place at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery on Monday, December 3, 2012.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Tri-County OIC, 500 Maclay Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110, or to Judge Morrison's church, Tabernacle Baptist Church, 1106 Capital Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102.
Services will be conducted by the Hooper Memorial Home Inc.
www.hooperfuneral.com www.pennlive.com/obits

Published by Patriot-News on Nov. 29, 2012.
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Memories and Condolences
for Clarence Morrison

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Judge Morrison was Dauphin County's beloved judge! I heard about him if he sees you a first time before the bench,he is compassionate. If he sees you a second time again,he is on you like "A Ton Of Bricks!" They named a park after him called "Clarence Morrison Memorial Park" He will be sadly missed. Once again,he was Dauphin County's beloved judge! A great one!!!

Scott West

May 30, 2023

My sympathy to Grace, Derricott, Mark and their families. Cousin Bobby was the first one in our family to graduate from Howard University. We will miss him. Love Muriel Goods (cousin)

Muriel Goods

December 13, 2012

My deepest heartfelt sympathy to Cousin Bobby's family. My name is Renee. I'm the daughter of Samuel & Muriel Goods.

Renee Goods-Fisher

December 13, 2012

Amazing GRACE

I remember once
being treated to a “brief” treatise
on YOU
~~~a selective bonus
in one of his reflective moments
when the “Judge” admitted
that many of his accomplishments
were compliment of Your confidence
in him…
To him, You were Amazing, GRACE.

He was a husband of substance,
towered as a dad,
& was a Howard grad.

It's Amazing, GRACE,
even with his name atop a Tower
~~in high art form~~
he felt the sum
of the sun's flame~~hot power
was clothed in a pose,
royal purple draped,
circle-shaped
just to keep Your heart warm.
For You were the Rose-propped Flower .
You were his focus, all else was bogus…

It's not Amazing, GRACE,
that there is a blazing trace
of his individual pedigree
in the official judicial history
of the Dauphin bar and bench.
He breathed justice, believed
he could trust it
to be a lawyer's true employer.
With such a strong sense
of justice,
he belonged on the Bench.
Thru stark reality he was purist's-souled
committed
to the impartiality of the jurist's code.
It's Amazing, GRACE,
the splendor, gift of his mentorship
provided guidance, as if Poseidon,
in the form of quelling ailing storms.
He would, with calm, nod
knowing all was in the palm of GOD.

It's Amazing, GRACE.
He always had that
“Mr. enthrall, Southern feel/appeal”
wanting
every sister and all brethren to kneel,
proclaim it not odd,
that,
whether in chapel, tabernacle
or synagogue
we all nod to the same GOD.

It's Amazing, GRACE,
But his was the true “Amazing Race!”

--l0nnieugene walker

Miss Grace, Derricott, Mark,& families:

i owe so much to “Judge” Morrison. He and i are both Howard Law grads. When i was a law school student he gave me aid and assistance. It was, also, he who gave me my 1st post-law school job and office space in Harrisburg. i enjoyed those days working with You & him. May he rest in peace. And may YOUR 60 years together give YOU sustenance & substance during the coming years.

I'm not one to proclaim that the angels are singing “Here Comes The Judge.” But i am one to proclaim that he made mine a much better life. All he ever asked in return is that i do the same for someone else. Even through my setbacks and missteps i have tried to do that and hope that, in some small way, i have succeeded.

l0nnie walker

December 8, 2012

It is with Great Sorrow to hear of the passing of my cousin Bobby. He was a Great Person who accomplished much during his life. I was so very proud of him. May you Rest in Peace my Dear cousin.
Love you "Vera"

Vera Davis McClendon

December 4, 2012

May God's Great Love and Peace be with the Morrison Family.

April B. Reuther R.N.

December 4, 2012

Mark and family--my deepest sympathy for your loss. I remember your dad's great sense of humor from so many years ago. May your memories of him comfort you.

Karin Colleran Manovich

December 3, 2012

To my Uncle Bob,with everyones love.

James Myers

December 3, 2012

To what as i know you as Uncle Bob love you forever and always R.I.P Aunt Grace stayed strong at the funeral. Love you and miss you

Cherrell W.

December 2, 2012

To Judge Morrison's wife of 60 years and family...How blessed we are to have had Judge Morrison in the Dauphin County Court. I was soo proud he was to be the first Black judge I made it a point to be there on his first day. And I would tell kids about the fine character of a man Morrison Towers was named after. He was fair, compassionate and a role model for all.
May God bless and comfort all the family and friends.

Gerald Brown

December 2, 2012

Blessings to the Family! Ken and Charlotte Broadus

Charlotte B. Broadus

December 1, 2012

We will miss Judge Morrison

Trent Hargrove

December 1, 2012

To the family, our sincerest condolences on the loss of your loved one. Mr. Morrison was a wonderful man. We will always cherish the memories of his smile, his jokes, his gardening in his straw hat and his warm and kind demeaner. We thank God for having the opportunity to know such an awsome man of God. We pray that you will hold on to the good, memories you shared throughout your
lives with him as well. May God continue to strengthen and Bless you.

Your longtime neighbors,

Carla and Keynan Kinard

December 1, 2012

Rest in peace Judge Morrison, it was a honor to have known you. My prayers go out to Mrs. Grace and the family.

Beverly Lewis

December 1, 2012

To The Morrison Family:

Judge Morrison served and lead with grace and dignity. It was a pleasure working with him on the OIC board and a privilage to work on his initial campaign. May this gentle giant rest in peace.

Reginald A. Guy Jr.

November 30, 2012

God saw the JUDGE gettting tired,and a cure was not to be, thus put his arms around him,whispered come go home with me. Love, respect,and condolences.

MDJUDGE & Paula POSTELLE

November 30, 2012

Alexander Pope wrote "Fools rush in where wise men fear to tread"; a few other folks have used it since. If our late special friends Oscar and Legree Daniels tell us almost everything we need to know about a fine man, Judge Clarence Morrison, that's probably a gross oversimplification. Life is just a bit more complex than that. Sympathy & kindest regards to Judge Morrison's family & very many friends wherever they may be. God bless one and all. Happy Holidays to one & all. Venite adoremus, dominum. Take care.

Ray Allen

November 30, 2012

In 1983 when I served as a juror,I was pregnant and Judge Morrison showed great care and compassion for my condition. He made the experience very comfortable and enjoyable for me. He was a very special man. prays and love for his family. RIP Your Honor.

Annette Miller Williams

November 30, 2012

My sincerest condolences to the entire Morrison family. I had the pleasure of working with Judge Morrison as one of the court reporters in the Dauphin County Court system. It was a joy to sit in court with Judge Morrison and to witness, in action, the mind of a brilliant man.
Judge Morrison was always so very respectful in his interaction with me and there are many life lessons that I still carry to this day that I learned from talking with Judge Morrison. A gentle man whose laugh filled the room and a man who will not be forgotten. God bless and keep you all.

Terry L . Robinson

November 30, 2012

Judge Morrison was a friedn of my father's and his son Mark and I were friends from school and were in plays together at Harrisburg Community Theatre. Condolences to the family.

Brenda Boyer Waleff

November 30, 2012

RIP Judge Morrison. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

Joani Hicks

November 29, 2012

I want to send my deepest sympathy to the Morrison Family. Judge Morrison was the epitome of what a Judge should be. He was a good, fair, and honest man who will definitely be missed in the community. RIP Judge, job well done! :-)

Terri Lynn Brown

November 29, 2012

Judge Morrison was a fair man who presided over a lot of cases in Dauphin County. My heart goes out to his wife Grace & his family. He will be missed by everyone!!! God Bless the entire Family!!

Betty Daniels

November 29, 2012

To the Morrison Family: Judge Clarence Morrison:
Has touched so many of are lives, He talked to us like a father, He always said where you come from doesn't matter, you can't let that decide your outcome in life, you can be anything you what to be a Judge, Doctor, Nurse, Thank you he detoured a lot of us from being criminals, R. I.P your work on EARTH, is done. Judge Clarence C. Morrison.

November 29, 2012

R.I.P JUDGE MORRISON YOU WERE A GOOD AND FAIR PERSON. AND WILL BE MISSED.PRAYERS GOING OUT FOR YOUR FAMILY.

SHIRLEY JONES

November 29, 2012

My condolences to the Morrison Family,he was a graces Men,he swore me in as a American Citizen, and we never lost contact.As I began working for the County.
He was a great Judge.
Rest in Peace

Ursula Alfredson

November 29, 2012

Thanks for giving me shared custody and allowing me to continue to have a loving and growing relationship with my two daughters. You are the best Judge Dauphin County has ever had. May you rest in Peace. Ronald James Thomas Acri

Ronald Acri

November 29, 2012

To The Family,
My heart go out to you in your time of sorrow. I had the honor of knowing Judge Morrison. He paved the way for others by his values. He was a Godly man, a humble man, and stood on all of his principles. May God continue comfort all of you in your time of sorrow.

Judge Morrison—Job Well Done!

Michele Branch

November 29, 2012

Please accept my deepest sympathies.

Wanda Maldonado

November 29, 2012

This man has made a great impact on my live for the best in and out of his court room he set me straight I thank God for him and I shall miss him

Dawn Archer

November 29, 2012

Judge Morrison was a fair man
He helped me from sinking deeper into sinking sand
He could have sent me away for a long time
But he saw something good in this soul of mine
And gave me a chance to show I could do good in my life
And I did and accepted Jesus Christ
Rest Judge Morrison your work on earth is done
You are now with the ultimate Judge God and Jesus Christ His son

Amery Weaver

November 29, 2012

Judge Morrison was a great and fair man and will be missed. Thoughts and prayer to family.

Steve Otstot

November 29, 2012

I will never forget how at ease Judge Morrison made me feel when I wrote a story about him for Common Ground newspaper some years ago. He was absolutely, positively without a doubt a role model for African American men and African American attorneys -- truly a husband, father, grandfather, of dignity and class. He will be missed.

Cindie Watkins

November 29, 2012

Dear Grace and family, Please accept my deepest condolences. I feel privileged to have known him personally and knew first hand what a fine judge, husband, father, and friend he was.
Penny Moore

Penny Moore

November 29, 2012

had the pleasure of living next door to him on forest street played with his son alot when we were kids. we have lost a good person

craig ditzler

November 29, 2012

JUDGE MORRISON WAS ALWAYS A FAIR MAN I WAS VERY PROUD TO BE REPRESENTED BY HIM IN THE JUDICAL SYSTEM HE REPRESENT BLACKS IN A HONORABLE WAY ACTING MORE AS AN MENTOR OR FATHER FIGURE UP THERE RATHER THEN AN MAN ABOUT TO SEND YOU TO JAIL HE ALWAYS FAIR AND HONEST AND WILL BE SURLY MISSED R.I.P. GENTLEMAN YOU EARNED THE REST PRAYERS AND BLESSINGS I SEND THE FAMILY.

WENDY WARREN-HOLIDAY

November 29, 2012

Judge Morrison was such a great man, He presided over most of my child support hearings and was fair to all.

Sarah Hock

November 29, 2012

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