Robert W. Morris

MORRIS Robert W. Morris, 94, son of a Florida pioneer, died Friday, September 5, in Jacksonville, FL. Born in Ft. Myers to John E and Flora Woodring Morris, the first Caucasian woman born on Sanibel Island, FL, Bob followed in his mothers pioneering footsteps. Growing up, he hand delivered evening newspapers to Thomas Edison and traveled to Cuba as an Eagle Scout. Bob served in World War II as a Master Sergeant and after discharge managed S H Kress department stores. In 1950, he moved to Sandersville, GA where he was instrumental in launching the Kaolin Festival, organizing the Chamber of Commerce, and reopening an abandoned golf course that is now the Twin City Country Club. Bob and his wife Hortense moved to Jekyll Island, GA in 1967 where he managed a group of hotels and was President of the Georgia Hotel/Motel Assn. for a number of years. An avid golfer, pilot, and fisherman, Bob returned many times to Sanibel Island; he recounted times where catching over a hundred fish a day was the norm. Not letting retirement slow them, he and Hortense lived on a houseboat on Lake Lanier, GA and most recently resided in Jacksonville, FL. He is survived by his wife of almost 70 years, Hortense; his son Bob Morris and wife Phyllis of Cary, NC; his son Charles Morris and wife Connie of Yulee, FL; and his sister Genevieve Grossman of Sarasota, FL. In addition, his survivors include five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Memorial services will be held in Egret Hall at Cypress Village in Jacksonville, FL, on Friday, September 12 at 3:30 in the afternoon. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Community Hospice. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.MEM.com . Arrangements are entrusted to Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 1701 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach, FL. (904) 249-2374 Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com