Rev. Guy Morton Jr.

1930 - 2014

Rev. Guy Morton, Jr.
Rev. Guy Morton, Jr., 83, Southern Baptist pastor for 55 years died May 11, 2014 at Mercy Regional Medical Center, Lorain. He lived to win souls for Christ Jesus.
He was born November 4, 1930 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He followed the footsteps of his father who was a major league Cleveland Indiana's baseball player. Rev. Morton reached the Boston Red Sox and played nine years in the minor leagues. He was selected as the All Time Catcher for the "Carolina League" for the last 60 years.
He served as senior pastor for 27 years at the Westwood Baptist Church in Wooster, Ohio, 3 years at Lorain Baptist in Lorain, Ohio and 14 years at Lakeview Baptist Church in Vermilion, Ohio; later as Pastor Emeritus at Lakeview Baptist and interim pastor at Firelands Baptist Church for the last 3 years. During these years he was elected president of the State Convention of Baptists in 2001 and served 2 terms. Prior to that, he had served as first vice president and second vice president (twice). For eight years, he served on the Southern Baptist Annuity Board and was chairman of the Relief Committee for four years. He was moderator for three years of the Northcoast Baptist Association and the Erie Association. He was president of the Ohio Pastor's Conference in 1975. He was an active member of the Vermilion Ministerial Association.
He graduated from the University of Alabama with two degrees, a B.S. and M.A. He did post graduate work at Ashland University, Bowling Green University and the University of Akron. He spent two winters at the University of Chattanooga. He was a member of the Delta Chi Fraternity. He taught school at St. John's (Tuscaloosa, AL)
He served during the Korean War in the army as a platoon Sgt. for two years; at Fort Jackson, South Carolina and Camp Atterbury, Indiana. He was in the 31th Division 167th Regiment.
He was elected to the Wayne County Christian Hall of Fame, the Tuscaloosa High School Hall of Fame (1972), Most Valuable Player of the Carolina League in 1954, Southern League All Star Team in 1957, 4 other all star teams and was the Alabama High School All Star Baseball Coach.
He started boy's baseball leagues in the Triway Area of Wooster, Ohio, in Tuscaloosa County in Alabama and the Lassie Girls softball leagues in the Wooster, Ohio area. He was the March of Dimes director 2 years in the Wooster Area.
He and Mrs. Morton had a beautiful marriage. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jean Morton ( nee Carroll); son, Rev. Guy Earl Morton (Jill), Huntsville, AL; daughters, Vicki Lynn (Jeff) Hudak, Amherst, OH and Valerie Dawn (Pastor Cliff) Morris, Vermilion, OH; 10 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren; 2 step grandchildren and 4 step great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Guy & Edna Morton, Tuscaloosa, Alabama. His favorite words and advice were, "Practice the Presence of Jesus." He used to say, "I would rather be a New Testament pastor than anything in the world".
Calling hours will be Tuesday, May 13, 2014 from 5-8 p.m. at Lakeview Baptist Church, 591 Ferndale Ave., Vermilion, Ohio and Wednesday, May 14, 2014 from 11:30 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 1:30 p.m. at the church. A cemetery service will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery, Vermilion. The Vermilion Veterans Council will conduct military graveside services.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Lakeview Baptist Church, 591 Ferndale Ave., Vermilion, OH or Firelands Baptist Church, c/o Jim Wargo, Treasurer, 921 Sharondale Dr., Amherst, OH 44001.
Online condolences may be made at www.riddlefuneralhome.com.