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David Chisholm Morse Jr.

David Chisholm Morse Jr. obituary, Bellingham, WA

David Morse Obituary

David (D.C.) Chisholm Morse, Jr.

October 7, 1941 - January 25, 2024

Bellingham, Washington - David (D.C.) Chisholm Morse, Jr. died peacefully on Thursday, January 25, 2024, at the age of 82.

D.C. was born in Bellingham on October 7, 1941 to Joyce (Pfueller) and David Chisholm Morse. He attended Campus School and graduated from Bellingham High School in 1959. He went on to Dartmouth College and Western Michigan University, graduating in 1964. D.C. earned an MBA at the University of Washington in 1966.

For the bulk of his career, D.C. was owner and manager of Blythe Plumbing & Heating, Inc. He and a business colleague purchased Blythe in 1974. D.C., then majority owner, sold Blythe in 2003 and retired January 1, 2008. Prior to Blythe, he worked at Boeing and Morse Hardware and served his country as a Lieutenant in the US Army, completing his tour of duty in 1969.

In 1967, D.C. met Suzanne Wilcox while skiing at Snoqualmie Pass. They fell in love and were married on July 21, 1968. When D.C. completed his Army service, they settled in Bellingham, where their three children were born. During their years together they reconnected with many of D.C.'s old friends, growing Bellingham roots for their children. They enjoyed life with their family until Suzanne passed away on October 26, 1980.

D.C. was lucky enough to experience love twice. While skiing at Mt. Baker in February 1985, he met Janice (Jan) Marchbanks. They were married on September 28, 1985. After they retired, D.C. and Jan traveled the world, returning often to favorite places in Africa, South America, and Alaska. They boated in the San Juans, Canadian waters, and Alaska; rafted the Grand Canyon; and spent time at their condominium near Cabo San Lucas.

Over the years, D.C. was a board member of a number of non-profit organizations and several businesses. While serving on the Board of the Rotary Club of Bellingham Foundation, he led the fundraising to establish an endowment for Foundation scholarships.

D.C. was a father, grandfather, advisor, and mentor. He was a boater, skier, fisherman, hunter, and traveler. D.C. was honest, bright, kind, generous, helpful, playful, thoughtful, a community stalwart, and an adventuresome travel partner with Jan. He was a genuinely fine human being.

D.C. was preceded in death by his parents, David and Joyce Morse, and his late wife, Suzanne Wilcox Morse. He is survived by his wife, Jan Marchbanks; daughter, Anne Marie Morse; son, David (Daver) Morse III (Heather); son, Judson Morse (Michelle); stepdaughter, Kristi Marchbanks; three grandchildren, Andrew, Sawyer, and Sophia; sister, Patricia Morse; brother, Bob Morse (Jeanette); sister, Katie Morse (Tony Aman); numerous nieces and nephews; and Rotary Exchange daughter, Silvia Heredia, and her sons, Andre and Rodrigo.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at the First Congregational Church of Bellingham, 2401 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to: Rotary Club of Bellingham Foundation Scholarship Fund, 2200 Vining Street, Bellingham, WA 98229.

Please share your memories at www.westfordfuneralhome.com.

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

Published by Bellingham Herald from Feb. 4 to Feb. 25, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for David Morse

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Mark Simpson

March 2, 2024

Jan-good memories and good thoughts to you!
As a young manager, you and DC invited me to "guess whos coming to dinner", rotary event. A great night, and start to a good friendship. DC was so supportive of me. Blythe served our hotel well, and Jan you and DC were always good to me.
So thankful. And thinking of you. Let us all appreciate community, DC for sure. Good guy, never forget. Thank you both for your kindness. Loved DC's humour, sometimes stuttered. Made me smile.
Mark-former GM, Hampton Inn Bellingham Airport.
God Speed!

Dorothy Nichols

February 17, 2024

To Jan and the Morse family: I am very sorry for the loss of your Dear David. I hope your memories together create a lasting comfort for you. Dot Nichols

Gudlaug Hawkinson

February 16, 2024

My deepest condolences to you, Jan. I´m so very sorry for your loss.

Melissa G Morse

February 14, 2024

To Jan and family, I am sending loving thoughts for you. It was not that long ago that I was able to meet you and D.C. when you were planning a trip to visit Peter and me in Nigeria. Although that trip was cancelled, you very kindly regrouped to join the Morse clan in Princeton for Peter's memorial service. It was an impactful way to become acquainted and much appreciated. Family ties are instantaneous. I wish you strength and wonderful memories. With much love, Melissa

Rick Wilson

February 10, 2024

DC was one of the GOOD GUYS! He was smart, hard-working and had great family values. He also had a tremendous sense of humor and a very quick wit. I think when he bought Blythe Plumbing, he didn't know much about the plumbing business. Stew Blythe, my uncle who owned Blythe Plumbing, told me that DC was a quick learner. Stew really enjoyed teaching DC the business. In turn, DC did a great job of growing Blythe Plumbing. I cherish the times we spent fishing at Langara and at Cabo. I will truly miss him as I know his family will.

carole Inge

February 5, 2024

Loved knowing the Morse family through First Baptist Church during our "growing up years" David was in the same class with my brother Don and they graduated from Bellingham High together.My family got to know David and his three children in worship at FBC , a very lovely family.
My condolences to his wife, Jan, Ann Marie, Daver , Judson and their families.

Melinda Bargreen

February 4, 2024

We were so lucky to have known Dave. We knew and loved him as a relative (his first wife and my husband were cousins), a brilliant and thoughtful friend, a wise businessman, an adventurous traveler, a devoted father and family man, and always great company. He will be greatly missed by his family, his friends, and more people than I can imagine. Howie and I will always remember him with love.

Robin & Fahri Ugurlu

February 4, 2024

Dear Jan and entire family,
You have our deepest sympathy and love at this time. We enjoyed our time at the Rotary events and in Cabo with you. DC will be missed tremendously in our town. You all are in our thoughts and prayers.

Rick Kaiser

January 31, 2024

I will always remember D.C. Morse's youthful zeal in his explorations. He, Jan Marchbanks and I shared a dinner in Deadhorse, Alaska where I was working and they were visiting. To me, it was just "where I worked" for half my life. For him it was this incredible land of tundra and birds, ice and water, unobstructed vistas and perpetual daylight. He saw this place for the beauty it was, and he was excited just being there. I can only imagine what traveling the world with him was like... A walking adventure.

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Memorial Events
for David Morse

Mar

2

Celebration of Life

11:00 a.m.

First Congregational Church of Bellingham

2401 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA

Funeral services provided by:

Westford Funeral Home & Cremation Service

1301 Broadway, Bellingham, WA 98225

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