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Ethan Morse Obituary
May 11, 1996 - March 15, 2019
Ethan Brown Morse died tragically Friday, March 15, 2019 in Atwater.
He was shot and killed shortly after dropping off his beloved daughter Ava at daycare.
Ethan was born Mother's Day May 11th 1996 in Merced. He attended Merced Montessori, Our Lady of Mercy, Fremont Elementary, Hoover Middle Schools, graduating from Golden Valley High School in 2014.
Ethan was a standout wrestler at Golden Valley, winning numerous tournaments in his weight class, earning academic all-league honors. He was a Team Captain and a winner of Golden Valley Wrestling's Ironman Award. In his senior year, Ethan was one of only two Golden Valley wrestlers to make the CIF State Wrestling Championship Finals in Bakersfield. Ethan earned a wrestling scholarship to Ouachita Baptist College in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.
In May 2016 he became a father to his beloved Ava Tahara Morse, who survives him. Ethan was a loving and devoted father whose happiest moments were spent with Ava.
Ethan loved being a part of his large and extended family- he is survived by his parents, Larry and Cindy Morse of Merced, older brother Dylan of San Francisco, and younger brother Ryan of Albany, NY.
Ethan was a kind, respectful, loving, loyal young man, who had the uncommon courage to stand up for truth and justice. His parents, brothers, family, and friends were privileged to have him in their lives and will mourn his loss each and every day.
He is survived by Alexis Leverett, mother of Ava. He is also survived by his grandmother Saranne Morse of Carlsbad, CA; aunt, Marguerite Carey, his uncles Brian (Beverly) Morse of Corralitos, CA, Neil (Teresa) Morse of Merced, Claude Roberson of Little Rock, AK, his aunts Anne Mahoney of Encinitas, Emily (John) Tsakoumakis of Westchester, CA and Ellen Shine of Carlsbad.
He was also the cherished cousin of Michael Mahoney, Lettye Walsh, Matt Morse, Rachelle Morse, Michael Tsakoumakis, Cortland Morse, Adria Sargent, Elise Medeiros, Jenny Roberson, Millie Roberson, and Sam Roberson, his adored "Nana" Rachel Cortinas, and "Uncle" Freddie Cortinas, and many second cousins across the United States.
Wrestling was Ethan's passion and he had intended to endow a wrestling scholarship at Golden Valley with the proceeds from damages he was awarded by a Federal Jury for a wrongful arrest. Ethan's family is honoring those wishes.
A Rosary will be said at 7:00pm on Friday, March 22, 2019 at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church at 459 West 21st Street in Merced. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 am Saturday March 23, 2019 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church at 671 East Yosemite Avenue in Merced. A Celebration of Ethan's Life will follow at the Merced Boys and Girls Club. Father Rex Hays, Pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Patterson, a lifelong friend of Ethan's, will preside.
In lieu of flowers, contribution to the Ethan Morse Golden Valley Wrestling Fund can be sent care of Neil Morse, 760 West 20th Street, Merced, CA.
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Memories and Condolences
for Ethan Morse
Kristal
September 28, 2025
Siempre fue un muy gran ser humano con un gran corazón adorable y cariñoso se le estraña igual que el primer día muchísimo siempre te llevaré en mi corazón
Kristal
September 28, 2025
sin palabras te estrano tanto
Paul & Hope Lopez
April 2, 2019
Morse Family Our Heart Felt Prayers To You & Your Family On Your Loss.
Rose L.
March 28, 2019
His smile was great, I only knew him a short time but I like him, sad to see him go.
Margie Varner
March 26, 2019
Peace be with you.
Margie Varner
March 26, 2019
Dearest Morse Family, our thoughts and prayers have been with you since the tragic loss of your beloved son. May God bless, comfort, and surround you all; with His love, peace, comfort, and justice. We are keeping you all in prayer. Our deepest condolences. Ed and Margie Varner ("Lucky Man" and Mrs. Margie)
Susan Gumm
March 26, 2019
Larry, Cindy and family,
We are so saddened about Ethan. We pray that you are surrounded by the warmth of family during this dark time. Please accept our deepest condolences.
Susan and Donald Gumm
Marci Parreira
March 25, 2019
My sincerest condolences for the loss of your son. My Prayers and thoughts for all, may God give you strength.
Ann Kelley
March 24, 2019
Cindy and Larry, you are so in my prayers for peace during this time of sorrow. God be with you.
Maria Hopey Sabala
March 23, 2019
So Sorry for your Tragic Loss of your Son Ethan.
If my Mom Rosa Sabala was a Alive she would be very Sad about your Son's death.
She would of had me take her to Ethan's Rosary and Funeral.
My Mom, Our Sabala Family and I are so Thankful Grateful to you Larry during my Family's Tragedy of my Brother
Ray Sabala's death.
My Prayers to Ethan, your Family and Friends.
Ethan is now in Heavenly Paradise in
Jesus's name, Amen...
March 23, 2019
Me.& Mrs. Larry Morse and family,
Prayers for God's peace & comfort as you prepare to lay your loved one to rest. Moved away from Merced County many years ago. Still in disbelief on how this could happen!?
Thank you for your years of service to Merced and for your family who shared you with us, including your son.
March 22, 2019
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
March 22, 2019
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Larry Cortinas
March 22, 2019
We are so sorry for the loss of your son, Ethan. He was a wonderful young man whose life was wrongfully cut too short. May God be with you and your family during this time and wrap his loving arms around you and comfort you.
Larry & Kathy Cortinas
Jill Settera
March 22, 2019
Larry, Cindy, Dylan, and Ryan,
I am so deeply saddened to hear of the profound loss of your beloved Ethan. He was a kind and loyal young man. I'm wishing peace and comfort for your family during this extremely sad time. My sincere condolences to your family.
Chuck Pritchard
March 22, 2019
Deepest sympathy and condolences for your loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all.
Betty Brehm
March 22, 2019
I send my deepest condolences and prayers to the family. Ethan was a wonderful friend and father. May you feel the arms of our loving father in heaven wrapped around you in this difficult time.
Jane Saulsbury
March 22, 2019
My Prayers & Condolences for the Family of Ethan! His Life cut too short, But His Light will shine forever. God Be with everyone getting through his loss .
Jane Saulsbury
Amanda Coffelt
March 22, 2019
This is crazy to me. Watching you grow up from olm to the loving father you are, it saddens me to say good bye. You will be missed by many. My heart goes out to your family. I know Alexis will do an amazing job at raising Ava for you guys. She will do right by you. I will continue to pray for you and them. Rest easy buddy. We will see you again one day. ❤❤❤
March 22, 2019
There is little worse than the loss of a child. I pray for peace and healing for your family. Joy
Stephanie Tapetillo
March 22, 2019
We send our deepest condolence the pain of losing Ethan is felt by all of us he was a wonder young man and our family will miss him dearly I am so thankful for him being Andrews friend and always looking out for him.
L Marrufo
March 21, 2019
Heartbreaking, Sorry for the loss of your Son. My son is on he's way from Arizona to pay he's respect. My condolences to the family.
Darlene Wolfe
March 21, 2019
Larry, Cindy, and family - My heartfelt love and prayers for you all during this most difficult time. I am so very sorry for your loss. May our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, hold you all in the palm of his hand.
Stratford Evans Funeral Chapel
March 21, 2019
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
Sue Zwahlen
March 21, 2019
My thoughts are with you at this tender time in your lives.
Sincerely,
GLORIA
March 21, 2019
SO,SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSE AND PAIN. HEART FELT PRAYERS FOR YOU AND YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY.
Lynda Furtado
March 21, 2019
Cindy & Larry, my prayers & thoughts are with You and your Family. WE ALL LOVE YOU CINDY
March 20, 2019
Those we love don't go away. They walk beside us everyday. Unseen, unheard, but always near. Still loved, still missed and very dear. Kdl
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