Name: Visitation for Gary Hope Morris
Start: 2019-11-17T20:00:00.000Z
End: 2019-11-18T02:00:00.000Z
Location: Smith Mortuary - Derby Chapel

WICHITA - Morris, Gary Hope, age 75, retired owner and operator of Brite-Line, Inc., passed away Tuesday, November 12, 2019.

Visitation 2-8 pm Sunday, November 17, 2019, with family greeting friends 5-7 pm, funeral service 10 am Monday, November 18, both at Smith Mortuary, 1415 N. Rock Rd., Derby. Graveside service 3:30 pm Monday, McGonigal Cemetery, rural Girard.

Gary is preceded in death by his father, William Morris; mother, Hazel Duncan; brother, Bill Morris; half brother, Bruce Duncan; and his sister, Sue Zwahlen. Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Donnis; daughter, Roxanne Steele (Michael); stepson, Rick McGee (Sandy); stepdaughter, Tina Hacker (Larry); half brother, Lennie Duncan (Beth); sisters, Helen Lane (Charles) and Sandy Rekow (Dale); grandchildren, Kollin, Brandon, Stephen, Amanda, Jed, Errin, Josh, Tiana, Levy and Hunter; 7 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Morning Sun on Nov. 15, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Gary Morris

Sponsored by Smith Mortuary - Derby Chapel.

7 Entries

Gary McKown

December 3, 2019

Gary always reminded me of my own father. He was a very good person. I will miss him.

Clint Wilcoxen

November 21, 2019

My dad, Rod Wilcoxen, worked for Gary for 20+ years. I have fond memories growing up going to work with my dad on Saturday mornings. Often Gary would be there. Usually, we would stop and grab donuts at a small donut shop near Brite-line. I can remember the smell of the vinyl graphics and stripe materials that Gary had circling around the office walls.
Once, when I was a little guy, I remember the panic I had when I locked myself in the bathroom. Gary and my dad had to calm me down and talk me through how to unlock the door. Haha

On occasion, as I grew a little older, Gary would let my brother Josh and me clean the floor with a razor scraper. We would roll around on the mechanic seats scraping and peeling the stripes off the floor for hours (often complaining that or hands hurt), and then we would be rewarded for our efforts with a little cash that Gary would pull from the register.
Gary was a man who almost always had a smile on his face.

Later, in my early twenties, Gary hired me at Brite-line; then it was his turn to teach me how to lay a straight line and apply decals on big rigs (some skills I still use every once in a while). We would drive to Newton together and chat the whole way. There was never a lack of good conversation, and I could always count on having a great time. He would pay me generously as well. I also fondly remember eating many hamburgers and laughing together with him and Helen while waiting for customers or a call from a body shop. Gary had a story for everything.

I was sad when he shut the door on Brite-line because I enjoyed stopping by on occasion, saying hi and telling him how I was doing while he caught me up on the business, his life, and Wichita. He was always great to me, and I will miss him. He treated me like family and I'm grateful for that.

I know Gary was a God fearing man and I have peace knowing he is with our Creator and Savior now.
Gary, may you live on in all of our memories until we meet again.
Clint Wilcoxen

Mick and Peggy Glass

November 20, 2019

We are sorry to hear of your loss. Gary was a great neighbor and a nice person. He always took the time to talk to friends and neighbors. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.

UNIVERSAL PRODUCTS - OMO

November 19, 2019

Gary was a long time customer of Universal Products. He would come in quite often to pick up products. His visits always brought smiles & laughter, and many times hugs for all. He will be greatly missed!

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Julie Rives (Hromek)

November 16, 2019

Gary was one of the nicest guys one could ever meet! So glad I got to visit with him at Bowling alley! Blessed to have gotten to know him.

Your loving sister

November 16, 2019

Gary was the 3rd child of a family of 7 children. He was baptized into the First Baptist Church when he was a teenager.He graduated from Arma High School where he had many friends. After hi-school he went to Wichita to work and later owned his own business He was a hard worker, a fun guy and loved to talk to everone, Gary was in the National Guard and served in Vietnam. We all loved him and will miss him. He loved his family and kept us all informed about what everyone was doing. He was an avid bowler and I know his bowling friends will miss him.

Harry Simpson

November 15, 2019

Rest Gary, until you hear at dawn,
the low, clear reveille of God.

Thank you for your service to this nation.

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