JOHN W. MORRIS II

MORRIS JOHN WOODLAND MORRIS II September 10, 1921 - August 20, 2013 Lieutenant General (R) John "Jack" W. Morris II, 91, died August 20, 2013 at Davis Health Care Center. He had been a patient at the Davis Health Care Center since July of this year. Born in Princess Anne, Maryland, on September 10, 1921, to John Earl and Alice Morris, Jack graduated high school from Charlotte Hall Military Academy and then attended Western Maryland College. He entered the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, in July 1940 as a member of the Class of 1944. Due to World War II, his class was accelerated and he graduated as a Second Lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers on June 6, 1943. While on assignment in the Philippines, he met 1st Lieutenant Geraldine Ludwig, a Flight Nurse in the Army Air Corps. Jack and Gerry were married on 12 May 1947, in St. John's Episcopal Church in Wilmington, North Carolina. Over the next three decades Jack served in critical staff and command. He was sworn in as the 44th Chief of Engineers on July 1, 1976. Jack retired in 1980 with over 37 years of service and held the rank of Lieutenant General. Upon retirement, Jack started his own company and provided consulting services to some 50 firms, many from overseas. Recognitions continued to come his way but none more cherished that his selection as a Distinguished Graduate from the U.S. Military Academy in 1989. Due to the failing health of his wife, he moved to Wilmington, North Carolina in 2004. Jack actively participated in the activities at Plantation Village and served on numerous committees. Jack was a member of All Saints Anglican Parish. He is preceded in death by his loving and devoted wife of 59 years, Gerry. He is survived by his daughter Susan M. Nelson and husband James A.; son, John W. Morris III and wife Tamelia: four grandchildren, John Nelson, Jessica M. Friley and her husband James, Chelsea Morris, and John W. Morris IV; great grandson, Damon Friley; and two nieces Sandra and husband Larry Parker and Cecilia Ann Pennington. Family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, August 30, 2013 at Andrews Mortuary Market Street Chapel, Wilmington, NC. His funeral is to be held at the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York, 1:30 p.m. September 4, with interment immediately thereafter. In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring his memory with a contribution in support of the General John W Morris Graduate Scholarship Endowment at the University of Maryland. This will support a graduate student within the Department of Civil Engineering who has served in the military or has had a relative serve in the military. Contributions are tax deductible. Please make your check out to UMCPF and in the memo/for section include "General Morris Endowment". Mail the checks to Sammy Popat, University of Maryland, 3207 Kim Engineering Building, College Park, MD 20742. Full obituary may be viewed and condolences may be sent to the family at www.andrewsmortuary.com Andrews Market Street Chapel