James Morton Jr.

1947 - 2026

James Frederick Morton passed away quietly on February 26, 2026, one day after his 79th birthday. Jim was the eldest of three sons born to Dr. James F. Morton and Irma Jean (McKinnon) Morton. He spent his formative years in Zanesville, Ohio, graduating from ZHS in 1965.

He studied art and art history as an undergraduate at Kenyon College and the University of Wisconsin, with the intention of becoming a conservator of paintings. After receiving B.A. and M.A. degrees from Wisconsin in 1971, he was disappointed to learn that he had inherited color blindness, which disqualified him from being a conservator. So he transferred his studies to studio art at Wisconsin, received his MFA in 1973, and become a full time painter.

Jim came back to Ohio in 1973, settling in Columbus. For the last 33 years, he was part of the Milo Arts community, and one of its foremost artists. In his declining years, the Milo community were his friends and caregivers. He loved being part of Milo where he remained until his passing. Jim spent more than 60 years of his life doing what he loved most, creating artistic depictions of the human figure.

Besides his painting, Jim's other interest was Ohio archaeology, to which he and Jeff Carskadden, his long time friend, made significant contributions. Together, they spent many years uncovering the remains of Ohio prehistory. He authored and co-authored many articles and books on Indigenous history and archaeology of eastern Ohio.

Jim is survived by his two younger brothers, Carl Morton of Zanesville(Lois), John Morton of Boulder,Colorado(Jade), and a half brother, Mike Morton of Corbin, Kentucky(Betty).

Jim will be sorely missed by all those who knew him, but his contributions to art and archeology will live on. An event at Milo Arts will be held to celebrate these contributions as well as a life well lived. Interested? Leave a message at (614) 294-0450