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Victor Morris Obituary

Victor O. Morris

POUGHKEEPSIE - Victor O. Morris, 87, passed away Sunday, July 21, 2013 at Saint Francis Hospital.

Mr. Victor O. Morris was born in West Monroe, Louisiana, the youngest of four children, to Mr. and Mrs. Elvatus C. Morris. Mr. Morris loved education, and along with his siblings, attended Tuskegee University in Tuskegee, Alabama. Mr. Morris continued to pursue his love of learning by doing his graduate work at Atlanta University, Atlanta, Georgia; Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia; and the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Morris came to Poughkeepsie, New York in 1956, after having been recruited by International Business Machines (IBM), as an engineer in electronic data computation. With IBM, Mr. Morris held responsibilities in manufacturing, product development, research, cost engineering, semi-conductor engineering and engineering education. In addition to his primary responsibilities in engineering, Mr. Morris also served as IBM's College Relations Representative at Tuskegee University; Alabama State University, Montgomery, Alabama; Atlanta University; and Morehouse College, Atlanta, Georgia.`

Mr. Morris' involvements and accomplishments were many, and he was totally dedicated to community service. Covering a wide range of civic, organizational, civil rights and religious concerns, he spent his life trying to do what he could to address those concerns on the local, state and national levels. Some of Mr. Morris' many participations are as follows:

Community/Civic

1) Served in both the Army and Navy, receiving an honorable discharge from each; 2) Member of Board, the Congressional District Military Academy Selection C0mmittee; 3) Chairman, Dutchess County Human Rights Commission, New York State Division of Human Rights; 4) Poughkeepsie Model City Agency, serving as chairman of its Community Relations Committee; 5) City of Poughkeepsie Planning Board; 6) Dutchess County Planning Board, chairing its Education committee; 7) Served on the Legislative Fair Housing Committee of New York State; 8) Advisory Board, Hudson River Housing; 9) New York State Committee on Discrimination in Housing; 10) Chairman, Hudson Habitat for Humanity; 11) Organizer and member of the Harrison Street Block Association; 12) Board of Directors, Dutchess County Committee for Economic Opportunities; 13) Chairman, Poughkeepsie Community Development; 14) Board of Directors, Family Services of the Mid-Hudson and Harlem Valleys; 15) Board of Directors, Community Chest; 16) Mayoral candidate, City of Poughkeepsie, New York; 17)Poughkeepsie Tri-Centennial Committee; 18) Recipient, 1993 Amercanism Award, The Anti-Defamation League, New York State; 19) Board of Directors, Lincoln Community Center; 20) The Catherine Street Community Center; 21) A founder of The Poughkeepsie Voters League. Also, organized the Congressional District and New York State Voters Leagues; 22) Established the Youth Career Conference to combat high school dropouts; 23) Political Science Seminar Series for junior high and high school students; 24) Publishing editor of the Mid-Hudson Herald newspaper, which served the mid and upper Hudson regions;

Organizational

25) Life-long supporter and member of National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), serving as chairman of the Labor and Industry Committee of the local branch; 26) Founding member and first Worshipful Master of the Nimrod Lodge No. 96, of the Prince Hall Order of the Free and Accepted Masons, Poughkeepsie, New York. Mr. Morris was also a Past Grand Orator, Past Grand Historian and Past Grand Master of Ceremonies and editor, of the Prince Hall publication, The Sentinel: The Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York State; 27) Past Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler, of the Mid-Hudson District of the Improved, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World. Established the organization's publication, the Antler Digest; 28) Young Men's Christian Association; 29)Mid-Hudson Science Advisory Council; 30) Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.

A Christian by faith, Mr. Morris entered Christian service via the Missionary Baptist Church. He continued his Christian service while a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church, Poughkeepsie, NY in many capacities which included:

Religious Participations

31) President, American Baptist Churches of New York State; 32) At his church home Ebenezer Baptist Church,Poughkeepsie, New York, Mr. Morris served as: Member of the Diaconate; Lay Minister; Sunday school superintendent and teacher; Chairperson of the Social Action Committee; Chairman of the Building Council; Organizer and chairman of the Empty Stocking Program (provided toys for disadvantaged children) and director, of both the Youth and United Church Choirs.

Mr. Morris is survived by his son William D. Morris, daughter Myra M. Seka, granddaughter Jasmine S. Williams and her husband Dr. Christian E. Williams, M.D., great-grandson, Lucas A. Williams and great-granddaughter Phoebe A. Williams.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to the many friends who have shared the joy and grace they received through our loved one's life. We sincerely appreciate your prayers, expressions of sympathy and every act of kindness extended to us during our period of bereavement.

The Going Home service for Mr. Morris will be held on Monday, July 29, 2013, at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Poughkeepsie, New York. A viewing will be held from 10 a.m.-11a.m., followed immediately by the funeral service at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that a donation be made in their loved one's name to: Tuskegee University, Office of Development, 324 Kresge Center, 1200 West Montgomery Road, Tuskgegee, Alabama 36088; 1-800-831-8812; www.tuskegee.edu/give_to_tu.aspx.

Professional and thoughtful services were provided by: Andre F. Baker Funeral Home, 18 Yosemite Avenue, White Plains, New York 10607; (914) 997-6900.

Published by Poughkeepsie Journal from Jul. 26 to Jul. 28, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
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5 Entries

Bro Morris was a good friend to my dad (Rev Verner R Matthews) both during and long after his time at Ebernezer. He was a good friend to the family. Now he and Dad are reunited again around the throne of Jesus. May the Holy Spirit comfort the family during this time of transition.

Pastor Darryl Matthews

July 31, 2013

My prayers are with the family.....Mr. Morris changed and helped a lot of people....

July 28, 2013

Lord, thank you for gift of meeting, speaking to, and knowing this man. He loved You, and that love touched and inspired me. Though I am sure there is great joy in Heaven to have him home, right now I feel so sad at his passing from here. My sincere condolences to his family.

Joseph Lomoriello

July 27, 2013

To the Family,

I extend my deepest sympathy to you. He will be missed by many in the City of Poughkeepsie.

Colette Lafuente

July 26, 2013

Although we can't be with you while you remember your loved one, you're in our thoughts from afar.

Jackie Garcia

July 26, 2013

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Funeral services provided by:

Andre F. Baker Funeral Home - White Plains

18 Yosemite Avenue, White Plains, NY 10607

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