Harry Robert "Bob" Morton

1934 - 2015

Harry Robert "Bob" Morton, a longtime resident of Kettle Falls, WA passed away on Aug. 7, 2015 in Spokane, WA at the age of 81. Bob was born on May 19, 1934 in Hornell, NY the oldest of four children to Harry Kemp and Cora Blanche (Hunt) Morton.

Bob was raised on a dairy farm and attended school in Canisteo, NY. His political interests began early as he ran and then was elected Student Body President his senior year. This began a lifetime of Republican activities and service to his country. Bob was an assistant for his father, an attorney, as he ran for a Senate seat in New York and subsequently served for eight years. Bob continued his education and was a graduate of Alfred University (B.A.) and Alfred School of Theology (Divinity). Bob offered ministerial council and service to several churches near his hometown. He was also a member of a delegation to the Holy Land led by Pacific Northwest Conference Bishop Everett Palmer. He moved to the Seattle area in the mid 1960's and pastored several Methodist churches. In 1968, he relocated to Spokane, WA. There he took flight training and received his private pilot license. Bob won the contract to "seed the fog" at the Spokane Airport and assisted in fog disbursement for departing and arriving aircraft. Bob expanded his flying services and moved to Alaska where he worked as a pilot and guide for a hunting and fishing camp in Iliamna. He returned to Washington State and purchased a home on Pierre Lake in northern Stevens County. Bob then logged and pastored at the Orient Community Church during the winter and spring months and returned to Alaska during the summer and fall. In 1974 he married Linda Kay Cox-Moe. He was a self-employed fishing and hunting guide and pilot in Alaska and their family enjoyed the summer months they all spent in together in Alaska. Bob was approached by then Representative Steve Fuhrman in 1990 about running for a state seat. After a period of consideration, Bob agreed and was elected in 1990 to serve in the 7th Legislative District House of Representatives. He served as a Representative until 1994. Bob was then elected to the State Senate in 1994 and served through 2012. Bob was a man of great faith with an incredible passion to serve others. He was actively involved in numerous organizations including the National Rifle Association, Barstow Volunteer Fire District, Washington State and Stevens County Cattleman's Association and the Farm Bureau. He supported the efforts and had compassion for the needs of his family, parish, community, county, state and country. Bob offered leadership by humble example. His understanding, approach to life, and servant's heart left an indelible mark of grace on those he touched.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Cora and his sister, Margaret Pierce.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Morton, Kettle Falls, WA; children, Bettina Jordan and her husband, Kim, Cheney, WA, Laura Eslick and her husband, Leo, Valley, WA, Roxanne Eslick and her husband, Doug, Kettle Falls, WA, Shawn Morton and wife, Greta, Ferndale, WA, Scott Moe and his wife, Jodi, Rice, WA; brother, Richard Morton and his wife, Dee, Olympia, WA; sister, Carolyn Tuttle and her husband, Dick, Walla Walla, WA; grandchildren, Rachel, Adam, Jesse, Devon, Colton, Conner, Nicholas, Alec, Rose, Molly, Kayla, Jacob and Emily; two great grandchildren.

The funeral service for Mr. H. Robert "Bob" Morton will be Friday, August 14, at 11:00am at the Grace Evangelical Free Church of Colville, WA. Memorial contributions may be given to the Kettle River Grange, Orient Community Church and/or Hospice of Spokane. Please visit the on-line memorial and sign the guestbook at www.danekasfuneralchapel.com. Danekas Funeral Chapel & Crematory is entrusted with the arrangements.