Donald Leroy Morrison

Donald Leroy Morrison was born at home on November 27, 1925 in Manitou, North Dakota, to Wilbert and Fannie Morrison. He joined his two older sisters, Doris (Al) and Adele (Bob) and was followed by a brother, Melvin (Lenore). When he was 9 years old, his family moved to Priest River area in Idaho, where he walked to the one-room schoolhouse with his siblings.

After graduating high school in 1944, he moved to Port Orchard, WA, and worked for two years in the sheet metal shop at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. In 1946, Don and his dad established Morrison Gravel, which is even now owned and operated by his oldest son, Ken.

In November 1951, Don married Lois, just before being drafted into the US Army in January1952, hoping they could therefore be together during his training. The army had different ideas, sending him solo to Camp Cook, CA for Basic Training, then to nearby Fort Hunter Liggett for combat training before shipping him to Korea, where he fought on the front lines of the Korean conflict.

Honorably discharged on Christmas Day, 1953, he headed back to Port Orchard to his waiting bride and his family gravel business, which he ran with his father, and later with his wife, and sons until his retirement in 1987.

A man of many interests, Don spent his free time restoring a 1929 Essex, rock hounding and polishing, mowing the lawn with a riding mower even after losing one leg, traveling around the United States, wintering in Arizona, going on mission trips to build houses in Mexico, joining Toastmasters, and working crossword puzzles. He had a surprising sense of humor and could deliver a clever quip to suit any situation.

Together, Don and Lois had three children and spent seven decades in the house he built in Port Orchard. As a young man, he realized that since Jesus had died for his sins, he would commit his life to serve Christ and live for Him, thereafter, impacting many through his quiet integrity and gentle strength. 

He joined First Christian Church in Port Orchard in 1950, serving over the years as a Sunday School teacher and supervisor, groundskeeper, Deacon, Elder, and Chairman of the board. Most importantly, he set an example to his children to love and serve Jesus as faithfully as he did. For him, “to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians1:21)

Don is survived by his wife of over 74 years, Lois; daughter, Dianne (Doug) of Nampa, ID; son Ken (Charlene) of Port Orchard, WA; and son Gary (Leslie) of Wickenburg, AZ; seven grandchildren (Joshua, Jason, Michael, Stephen, Gregory, Vanessa, and Kevin), and seven great-grandchildren (Caden, EmmaLynn, Addison, Halen, Freya, John, and Petra).

He will be interred with military honors in a private ceremony. The family would be very pleased if you would write your reflections about Don in the guestbook below.