Ben Mitchel Morris

Ben Mitchel Morris

Oxnard, CA

Ben Morris was a world-renowned gifted singer who enjoyed a wonderful life while finding deeper meaning and purpose through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Ben's beautiful tenor voice was discovered while he was still in high school as he became a favorite at local weddings. World war II found him first stationed first in San Diego, then working as an optometrist / navy hospital corpsman in the Pacific islands. It was while stationed in San Diego that he met his life-long partner and supporter, Dorothy McReynolds who became his wife, and supporting pianist at his concerts in future years.

After the end of the war, and after the first 2 of his children were born (Tony and Suzanne,) the head of the navy band heard Ben singing at a wedding, and immediately created a new position for Ben and his voice as the Navy Band's first tenor soloist. That position and career lasted another 22 years. Those years found Ben's voice representing the Navy band, and the United States everywhere from world tours all over Europe and South America, to a regular at the white house, and a regular on the one show where all world talent was exhibited, the Ed Sullivan show. It was while traveling on one of the navy band tours in a bus (there were 32 total national and international tours where he was featured) that another band member challenged Ben to open a Bible, and see if God is real. This challenge resulted in Ben opening a Gideon bible in his hotel room that night, and giving his heart to Jesus. The transformation included Ben becoming a regular singer for local churches in the Washington DC area.

Ben's spiritual journey eventually led to retiring from the Navy and becoming a missionary to Africa in the 1970's where he endeavored to encourage and record local Christian music enterprises for local African radio broadcast.

Ben's hobbies included building his own electronics, sailing, working on cars, and supporting local churches. He is survived by 6 children: Tony Morris, Suzanne Rowe, Carol DeGraffenreid, James Morris, David Morris, and Wilson Morris, and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Burial is arranged by Coastal Cities Cremations in

Ventura, California.

Burial will be at:

Riverside National Cemetery

22495 Van Buren Boulevard

Riverside, California

92518

on Monday, November 28th at 1:31 PM

Memorial Service:

Saturday, January 7th, 2017, at 2 PM

held at

Fundamental Baptist Church

11102 Aster Street

Ventura, California

93004