Julian Gore Morton Jr.

1941 - 2017

Julian Gore Morton Jr.

Knoxville, TN

Morton, Julian Gore (Jan), Jr. - passed away Monday evening, September 11th, 2017 after suffering a stroke a few weeks prior. Born on May 15, 1941, Jan was the epitome of the phrase, "never met a stranger". Following in his father's footsteps, he served as an executive of The H.T. Hackney Company until the sale of his interests in 1983. Jan started his own company, Pride Markets, which included Rocky Hill Market on Northshore Drive and numerous other successful ventures and real estate investments.

Jan's servant heart and philanthropic spirit informed his every decision. His legacy of charitable giving spanned from his church, to organizations such as the YMCA and Friends of The Great Smoky Mountains, to a friend in need. His deep love for the water drew him to a lifetime of boating, whether on the Tennessee River on his beloved Montvale, or deep-sea fishing with friends in the Atlantic Ocean.

Beyond any of his other affinities, however, Jan loved his Savior and his family. A faithful member of Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church, Jan was known to slip in a few minutes late and grab a seat on the back row. While he was certainly a rascal to the end, with an often irreverent sense of humor, his Saturday morning Bible Study drew him into God's word over the last several years, and he was never reticent to share the gospel.

The love of his life, Ruth Pritchard Morton, passed away in January 2010, and Jan filled the last seven years with travel and spending time with his sister, his children and grandchildren and a host of dear friends. He especially loved his frequent dinners with his beloved sister Julie Anne (Judy) Morton. They became practically inseparable over the last several years, sometimes annoying one another but always loving each other.

Besides Judy, Jan leaves his best friend Pete (a.k.a., the Montana Mutt), who was a frequent passenger on the console of the truck, whether they were going to the post office or on a cross-country jaunt. He leaves his children Michael Dale Morton, Timothy Clay Morton, Kimberly Morton Coughlin, Lauralie Morton Rubel and Thalia Morton Hatmaker; grandchildren Rachel Morton, Meredith Morton Wood, Grant Morton, Ella Morton, Fisher Morton, Anna Catherine Morton, Hannah Coughlin Royer, D Coughlin IV, James Rubel, Grace Rubel, Ben Hatmaker and Abigail Hatmaker. He was also blessed to become a great-grandfather to John Mark (Jay) Royer III, shortly before his passing. It would be impossible to list his many friends here, but the family would like to thank Ruth and the crew at Long's Drug Store for being his "extended" family.

There will be a private family inurnment on Friday morning, September 15th, then all are welcome to join us at his memorial service on Friday afternoon, September 15th at 2 p.m. at Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church with Dr. William R. Barron and the Rev. Mark Lampley officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in Barron Hall. In lieu of flowers, and in keeping with his own generosity, Jan would be honored by your gift to The Friends of Great Smoky Mountains, PO Box 1660, Kodak, TN 37764, Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church, 3700 Keowee Ave Knoxville, TN 37919, or the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be extended at www.rosemortuary.com Arrangements by Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel.