Leonard Morris

MORRIS, Colonel Leonard C. "Skeets," USAF Reserve, Retired, September 24, 1914 to June 9, 2010. Skeets Morris passed away peacefully early Wednesday morning, June 9. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Born in Malvern, Arkansas, son of Ben and Mamie Morris, he lived most of his life in Richmond, Virginia. Skeets had a decorated military career. He was Lead Bombardier on B24s in WWII, completing 25 missions. For the bombing of Kiel, Morris and his crew received the Presidential citation. He was honored by a full military review upon his return from combat, receiving an oak leaf cluster for the Distinguished Flying Cross awarded him for combat over Germany. For most of his 95 years, Skeets brought happiness to many people with his music and song. He once played for the Gene Autry Tent Show. For over 60 years, he and his Skeets Morris Orchestra entertained audiences around Richmond and across Virginia. He is survived by his wife, Frances; children, Terry Morris, Lynnette Morris Hoosier and husband, Merle, Charlotte Gregg Morgan and husband, John, and Victor Gregg; sisters-in-law, Helen A. Smith and Ella S. Terry; grandchildren, Melissa Loughridge Savenko, Jaison Morgan and wife, Molly, William Gregg Loughridge, Tiffany Morris, Kelly Rose Morris, and Miranda Morgan; and great-grandchildren, Sasha Savenko, Coco Morgan and Bodhi Morgan. He was preceded in death by son, James Michael Gregg. Celebration of Skeets' life will take place at Emmanuel Episcopal Church (Wilmer Road) Saturday, June 12, at 11 a.m. A reception will follow for all family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts in his honor to Emmanuel Episcopal Church.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.