Jefferson Wood "Jeff" Morrow

MORROW Jefferson "Jeff" Wood Morrow, 56, passed away March 2, 2011. He was born December 30, 1954, in Jacksonville and was raised in Avondale and Orange Park, where he honed his fishing skills on River Road and grew up loving the river and horses. He attended Episcopal High School and graduated from Orange Park High School in 1973, where he played Varsity Basketball. He graduated from Davidson College, North Carolina in 1977 with a major in English Literature and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and the Rugby Club. His interest in writing, directing and film began with many campus acting projects. Then for two years he taught English and coached football and soccer at Bishop Kenny High School and also was a realtor in St. Augustine, FL. Jeff began his interest in the law by attending the University of Florida School of Law and graduated from Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham, Alabama in 1982. He worked for the Public Defenders Office for three years and went into private practice with several local attorneys. His law practice spanned 25 years and was in personal injury, wrongful death cases and appellate law. He specialized in nursing home abuse litigation, where he was Board Certified and was respected as an expert. He presented cases before the Florida Supreme Court and 1st District Court of Appeals. Jeff donated numerous hours of his time doing pro bono legal work for many community organizations. In 2008 he was elected as a Circuit Court Judge in the 4th Judicial Circuit, where he served in both the Juvenile and Adult Felony Divisions. He was a member of the Jacksonville Trial Lawyers Association, American Board of Trial Advocates, Florida Bar Association, Jacksonville Bar Association, Westside Rotary Club, Florida Yacht Club and Riverside Presbyterian Church, where he served as a volunteer coach in their Youth Basketball program. All his career work supported his love for sports fishing, diving, kayaking and the great outdoors, where "Capt. Duct Tape" organized adventures in Central and South America, the Florida Keys and the Caribbean, also providing philanthropic services to the local communities. His most recent endeavor was as a screenwriter and director of independent films. "Fins: the Movie" is currently in the editing process. Jeff was a devoted husband, loving father and treasured his family above all his accomplishments. He is survived by his loving wife of 24 years, Susie, and their children Madalaine Chase Morrow and Jefferson Slayton Morrow. Jeff was predeceased by his father, Matthew E. Morrow, Jr., M.D. He is survived by his mother, Sara W. Morrow, his sisters, Elizabeth Wery (Louis) and Sally Kirilloff, and his brothers Matthew Morrow (Karron) and John Morrow (Martha) and 8 nieces and nephews. He also leaves many wonderful friends, family and "furry friends" with very sad hearts. Family will receive friends at Riverside Presbyterian Church, 849 Park Street, on Saturday, March 5, 2011, from 4-6 pm. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, March 6, 2011 at 1:00 pm also at Riverside Presbyterian Church, followed by a reception at the church. Jeff's daughter requests that friends wear any shades of blue to represent his beloved sea. Arrangements are under the care of Hardage-Giddens Edgewood Funeral Home, 729 S. Edgewood Avenue. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Morrow Children's Scholarship Fund may be sent in c/o David Peek, Esq., 50 N. Laura Street, Suite #2600, Jacksonville, FL 32202. www.hardage-giddensedgewood.com


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