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Fred Morrison Obituary
Utah House Rep. Kay McIff, an attorney who represented Morrison in a royalties case, says Morrison died at his home in Monroe, Utah, on Tuesday. McIff is from Richfield, Morrison's original hometown.
"That simple little toy has permeated every continent in every country, as many homes have Frisbees as any other device ever invented," McIff said. "How would you get through your youth without learning to throw a Frisbee?"
Morrison's son, Walt, told The Associated Press Thursday that "old age caught up" with his father and that he also had cancer.
"He was a nice guy. He helped a lot of people," Walt Morrison said. "He was an entrepreneur. He was always looking for something to do."
Morrison sold the production and manufacturing rights to his "Pluto Platter" in 1957. The plastic flying disc was later renamed the "Frisbee," with sales surpassing 200 million discs. It is now a staple at beaches and college campuses across the country and spawned sports like Frisbee golf and the team sport Ultimate.
An official disc golf course at Creekside Park in the Salt Lake City suburb of Holladay is named for Morrison.
Morrison co-wrote a book with Frisbee enthusiast and historian Phil Kennedy in 2001. Kennedy released a brief biography about Morrison on Thursday, wishing his late friend "smoooooth flights."
According to Kennedy, Morrison and his future wife, Lu, used to toss a tin cake pan on the beach in California. The idea grew as Morrison considered ways to make the cake pans fly better and after serving as a pilot in World War II, Morrison began manufacturing his flying discs in 1948.
He would hawk the discs at local fairs and eventually attracted Wham-O Manufacturing, the company that bought the rights to Morrison's plastic discs.
Kennedy says Wham-O adopted the name "Frisbee" because that's what college students in New England were calling the Pluto Platters. The name came from the Frisbie Pie Co., a local bakery whose empty tins were tossed like the soon-to-be Frisbee.
Walt Morrison said his father is survived by three children. The family is planning a service for Morrison's friends and relatives Saturday at the Cowboy Corral in Elsinore.
Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press
66 Entries
Harry Simpson
February 10, 2017
Godspeed Fred, and thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
Rest Fred, until you hear at dawn,
the low, clear reveille of God.
Thank you for your service to this nation.
Melissa S.
February 27, 2011
When I was a kid, Springs and Summers were filled with tossing a Frisbee around (or filling one up with dirt to make mud pie)! What joy this toy brought to our hearts! I would like to offer my sincere belated condolences to the Morrison Family. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 - "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those in any sort of tribulation through the comfort with which we ourselves are being comforted by God."
Dorothy
February 18, 2010
Thank your for your invention that gave hours of fun for 3 generations of my family.
Our prayers and condolences to your family.
guy kellerman
February 17, 2010
thank you for your invention and finding the joy in the simple things in life we have all been touched by your creativity children,pets, adults for years to come
How you can show support
S Ford
February 17, 2010
I would like to offer my deepest sympathies to you. Although we haven’t met, all of us have experienced the loss of a loved one. I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that you are never alone. Turn to the Holy Scriptures for guidance and to help soothe your heart. Psalms 34;18 assures us that God is near to those broken at heart and crushed in spirit. Please accept my deepest sympathies.
February 17, 2010
thank you for all the fun over the years may god bless and keep you
c morrison
February 16, 2010
Hello i'am a Morrison from Virginia sorry for your lost i enjoied reading of your fathers achievedments C. Morrison (Va.)
Roy Pechous
February 16, 2010
In 1983, I was a young Illinois Lawyer who had just completed a successful Mountain lion hunt near Circleville< Utah. I was trying to get to the Salt Lake City Airport to go back to Chicago. I showed up at the little airport where Fred kept his two airplanes, one a Beech Bonanza and the other an Italian or French fighter plane. I cut a deal with Fred to fly me to the Salt Lake City Airport in the Bonanza. At the time, I was also a pilot and Fred and I hit it off well. He told me he had invented the Frisbee and I believed him. What a wonderful guy! What an honor to have met him!
Dawn S
February 16, 2010
A very important piece of all of our lives as children. Rest In Peace.
Cheryl
February 16, 2010
Thanks for all the childhood fun.
Prayers and condolences to your family and friends.
Melanie Richard
February 16, 2010
Your invention has made my son and his friends closer in their pursuit of the game even in playing Supreme Frisbee. I've never been very good at throwing a frisbee but I am hoping someday I'll be able to play a good game. In life you excelled in bringing hours of happiness to others!
Gregory Bouchard
February 15, 2010
A Disc has been with me always for 35 years. Thank you Mr. Morrison. Your name will not be forgotten in my household.
February 15, 2010
Thank you Fred Morrison... your small toy bought friendship and fun times to millions of people.....Rick Barker, N.Myrtle Beach, SC
February 15, 2010
The Frisbee was a wonderful and timeless invention. We certainly appreciate this invention bringing us many hours of joy, outdoor fun, and exercise. My heart goes out to all the loved ones he left behind. May God give you all the strength to carry on during this difficult time.
tom wenger
February 14, 2010
rest in peace soldier,your generation was truely americas finest
David Demien
February 14, 2010
One of my most cherished memories was a trip my family took to Morroco. The highlight of the trip was when we went to the town square at Aswara and threw our frisbees with the local children. I have never witnessed the instant joy that was brought to these children. Thnak you for the memory. God Bless You
Les Breese
February 14, 2010
Sincere condolences to the family and friends of a man whose little invention has brought so much joy to the world. Every time a Frisbee is tossed, the spirit of Fred Morrison will soar with it!
Scott and Patti Hess
February 14, 2010
Now in Heaven playing Frisbee with the angels and friends from years gone by. May God bless the family and friends of Mr. Fred Morrisons that are left behind on this earth!
Mike Miller
February 14, 2010
Playing Frisbee throughout my life brought me so many great experiences, friends, and even love. Mr. Morrison's spirit will live forever in the joy and happyness his invention brings to all. I think the japaneese said it best translating the word frisbee into, "young feeling sport".God's Blessings to all the Morrison family.
R D
February 14, 2010
If I had studied as many hours in college as I spent throwing the firsbee, I would have a PhD. We still have the World Record of the World for the speed in which we threw the firsbee around our dorm hall back in the '70's.
I actually got to talk to Mr. Morrison on the phone several years ago and requested his autograph. He sent me a couple of autographed frisbees which we will always cherish. We spoke a few times after that and I was amazed at how humble he was. He was a very special man and my condolences go out to his family.
RD South Carolina
February 14, 2010
our condlences to the F.Morrison family! many great years and fun with the frisbee and we Thank GOD men like F.morrison a true invisionary! God bless! sincerely, Eva & daughter,Crystal
Eva/Crystal
February 14, 2010
our condlences to the F.Morrison family! many great years and fun with the frisbee and we Thank GOD men like F.morrison a true invisionary! God bless! sincerely, Eva & daughter,Crystal
February 14, 2010
Please accept our warmest sympathies and be comforted knowing that God is “near to those that are broken at heart, and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.” (Psalm 34: 18). He can give us ‘power beyond what is normal’ to go on from one day to the next. (2 Corinthians 4: 7).
Sincerely,
Lynette Gonzalez-Perth Amboy-NJ
Terry J
February 14, 2010
Thanks for all the fun and great memories Fred Morrison!
Rest In Peace
Dave Smith
February 14, 2010
I was born in 1948 when Fred and his boss, Warren Franscioni invented the first ever plastic flying disc toy, the Pipco Flyin Saucer and started flying Frisbees in Sept. of 1957 with a blue Pluto Platter my Dad had picked up at the Santa Clara Co. fair on his way home from work, walking in the door with it in hand and saying "it's about time someone invented something like this. He'd gotten into pie tin (not Frisbie Pie Co. one's to his best memory) flipping with his brother when they were on a shared leave from the army in WWII. Both their young brides were pretty disgusted with the amt. of time miss-spent in this early tin addiction so I guess I caught it both by nurture and nature. He took me back to the fair to see the two guys demonstrating the discs with a sheet of plywood on the grass to do straight AND curved skips on. I've described this to Phil Kennedy(Fred's co-author of his book-Flat Flip Flies Straight-True Origins of the Frisbee) who relayed it to Fred who thought that it might have been his long time family friends helping pitch (pun intended) this new toy to the public. My Dad and I bonded more by flying Fred's invention than anything else when I was growing up as I'm sure many fathers and their children have, are, and will keep on doing. I hope the concept of heaven includes Fred and all his fans, my Dad esp., having all the time they want to flip their favorite discs, pans, pie tins, whatever they like and all the dogs allowed there return the discs quickly and unperforated!. While Fred's family surely will miss him like my family and I miss our Dad,I pray they share the Peace that Passes Understanding in the sure knowledge of Fred being with our Lord God.
Wanda Henry
February 13, 2010
My prayers are for Fred Morrison family and friends. He lived for Ninty years, according to the Bible he was considered mighty, because of special mightiness they are eighty years and more. We are thankful for years we have to live because they fly away quickly.
KEN & MARY O'DANIEL
February 13, 2010
WE ARE SENDING OUR LOVE,PRAYERS,& CONDOLENCES TO THE MORRISON FAMILY,FRIENDS,&ALL WHO KNEW MR. MORRISON.
Donna Outlaw-Plank
February 13, 2010
Started tossing frisbees with my friends in the late 60's and at college in the early 70's, it was all we wanted to do! Thank you Fred for giving us this amazing disc that still has so many having fun! Prayers and condolences to your family and friends.
Cheryl
February 13, 2010
All my life I played with Frisbees and never once thought about who invented it. Thank you Mr. Morrison for the great summers and times at the beach with your mavelous invention!
My deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Mr. Morrison.
Patricia A Jublikhan PC
February 13, 2010
Fred
David and I always will treasure our precious time together tossing the frisbee barefoot in the park.
RIP
XOXO
February 13, 2010
In the 1950's my family and I would take cross country car trips and when we stopped, we all started playing catch with the pluto-platter. We forever called this toy a pluto-platter and I pause to thank Fred Morrison for his contribution.
genelle
February 13, 2010
In the 1950's my family and I would take cross country car trips and when we stopped, we all started playing catch with the pluto-platter. We forever called this toy a pluto-platter and I pause to thank Fred Morrison for his contribution.
Wanda
February 13, 2010
We offer our condolences. We had hours of fun tossing frisbees; and now my kids are enjoying them. May your memories of Mr. Morrison bring you comfort. (John 5:28,29)
Charlene Ann
February 13, 2010
My Pluto Platter was blue. Never owned another til last week when I bought 2 "frisbees" to make a bird feeder. I so enjoyed the old one--spinning it on a stick, tossing & chasing it (only child), rolling marbles in it, using it for a flying saucer for dolls..can still feel & see it, though it went to Toys for Tots long ago. I think only the original had the bump on top so you could spin-toss it...What a soul-lifter. May his loved ones have as many happy memories as he made possible for all of us, & his soul's flight home be as free & joyful as his invention.
Greg Richardson
February 13, 2010
To the family of Fred Morrison:
I am deeply sadden by your loss. His invention is definitely one of my favorite toys! Please allow your memories and the words in the scriptures to bring you comfort.
Job 14:14, 15 If an able-bodied man dies can he live again? All the days of my compulsory service I shall wait, Until my relief comes. You will call, and I myself shall answer you. For the work of your hands you will have a yearning.
Henryk Zaleski
February 13, 2010
Rest in peace.
Denise Wittig
February 12, 2010
Thanks for the wonderful memories of your great invention-Rest in peace
February 12, 2010
Wherever there is sunshine, waves, grins and giggles, Fred's legacy will live on.
February 12, 2010
Thanks for all the fun and my condolences to your family.
February 12, 2010
Morrison Family And Friends,"And the peace of God that excels all thought will guard your hearts,and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus Philippians:4,7
R Golay
February 12, 2010
To the the family of Fred Morrison - May God give you peace and comfort through his word and the Lord Jesus Christ during this time of sorrow,I know that Fred will be missed by many.
Bob
February 12, 2010
I first saw Mr. Morrison's invention at the NYC World's Fair in 1964. My dad and I were fixated! Of course we took one home. It was so simple and so magical. Many happy memories followed. Bless his soul.
Tim F
February 12, 2010
Thank you Fred. Spent many hours in my youth tossing the disc.Frisbee Golf was the best. RIP
Doris Franckum
February 12, 2010
Fred: I'll never forget you and the fun times we shared the second time around. I will cherish even more the letters that I received and your fun books and the special Frisbees with personal messages on them. The boat trip in 1936 with our families to Catalina was the beginning and there will never really be an end. I'll always remember you, your crazy, corny fun jokes and the pictures in your home. Sorry we didn't keep up our correspondence. You're in a much better place.
Ledbetter Family
February 12, 2010
To the Morrison Family:
As renowned as the Slinky, it would be hard to find a family who didn't own a Frisbee. Now we can put a face behind the creation that kept millions busy with a simple, clean toy.
Please allow the promises of God's word to comfort you during this sad time. Regarding God, Psalm 145:16 says, "You are opening your hand and satisfying the desire of every "living" thing." This is but one of the many promises that will be satisfied under God's Kingdom arrangement.
Respectfully,
Catherine Holveck-Morra
February 12, 2010
Rest in peace, loved playing frisbee all my life....thank you for so many great memories
SCOTT CHAMBERLAND
February 12, 2010
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Cindy L
February 12, 2010
Rest in Peace, Walter. You can leave this world knowing you provided exercise and fun to many people with your invention. I still have a Frisbee and will always cherish it.
Ayetiwa
February 12, 2010
Mr. Morrison was quite an inventor. He will be missed. Please take comfort in knowing that soon the dead will rise abd you may be able to see him again. Till then you are in my prayers.(John 5:28,29 and Revelation 21:3,4)
Dan Thornton
February 12, 2010
Thank you so much, Fred, for your wonderful invention! I've played competitive Guts Frisbee for 40 years, and none of it would have happened without you and Lu. We're blessed to have you as an inaugural member of the Frisbee Hall of Fame. You've given the gift of joyful play and healthy exercise to millions around the globe. Smoooth Flyin' to you!
Thanks! ~From Buddy~
Ryan Charabowski
February 12, 2010
Fred Morrison invented something that entertains not only me, but also my dog, who cant sleep without his Frisbee...
Rest In Peace, and thank you.
Victoria VZj
February 12, 2010
In memory Of
Fred Morrison~
What a patent
you made..
Thank you for the
making of the Frisbee!
Added years,to the Beach party.
As in forever young hobby
sporty fun times for all.
~God Bless you Fred~
Sara R
February 12, 2010
The greatest things about the Frisbee is it went so far and Frisbee Golf is now a sport. Mr. Fred, you were a cool inventor. Have fun throwing a frisbee in Heaven!
Lisa & Wayne Wells
February 12, 2010
Rest in Peace.
Kevin Orton
February 12, 2010
I first flew a disk almost 50 years ago and have at least 4 in my home right now. I have received hours of enjoyment and exercise from Fred's simple idea. Thank you Mr. Morrison
Jim Kennedy
February 12, 2010
Frisbee gave me something to excel at since I was not big enough to play basketball or football. Thank you for making a difference over the past 36 years of my life Mr. Morrison. God bless you and your family, now and always.
Joshua De Luna
February 12, 2010
Joshua De Luna
Clyde Baxley
February 12, 2010
WOW! What a legacy! His simple idea created fun and joy for untold millions around the world. Could life be more rewarding than that. Have a safe and joyous hereafter!
February 12, 2010
Mr. Morrison,
Thank you!! That was one of the first things I learned to do as a child was throw the Frisbee. We spent many hours in the summer in San Antonio playing with that thing -- it was addicting! Tom Fry
JOHN BRATTAIN
February 12, 2010
Mr Morrison`s invention will live on longer then he could have ever imagined.
He made a little plastic disc become a pastime for our country and others around the world.
He will be remembered with such imortal people as the inventor of baseball, Andrew Doubleday.
People will always want to know who made what and Mr Morrison will be forever remembered as a man who brought some fun and smiles and family time in this ever darkening world.
Go With God now and always know you are alive in History and our Hearts , a very nice thing to know for sure.
Debbie Sellars
February 12, 2010
Thank you Mr. Morrison for having a great mind that led to tons of fun, and lots of laughs for millions! I bow to you. My condolences to Mr. Morrison's family.
sherri jones
February 12, 2010
First of all...THANK YOU!! ,,,because of you...you have made family and friends come together to laugh and play! .God be with you.
Lillie Neal
February 12, 2010
GOD is near to those that are broken at heart, and those who are crushed in sprit he saves. (Psalms 34:18). I am sorry for your loss.
Gerry Cusato
February 12, 2010
To the Morrison Family; May the peace of God that excels all thought, comfort you during this time of sorrow. Philippians 4:7
February 12, 2010
Thanks for a lot of fun times with friends through the years with your wonderful invention.
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