Eli "Blue" Morris

Eli "Blue" Morris, a man whose laughter was as infectious as his art was expressive, took his final bow on Sunday, February 16, 2025, at his home in Dayton, OH. Born on Wednesday, February 9, 1955, in the small town of Hazard, KY, Eli's journey through life was a canvas splashed with vibrant colors of joy, optimism, and love.
Eli's early days were spent at Stivers High School in Dayton, where he was known for doodling on every surface he could find, turning blank margins into masterpieces. He carried that creative spark throughout his life, leaving a trail of artwork that reflected his passion for life and his ability to find beauty in the everyday.
After 22 years of dedicated service at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base's commissary with Goodwill Industries, Eli hung up his hat and retired, but he never stopped contributing to the world around him. His work ethic was only outshined by his wit, and his colleagues remember him as the guy who could always find a silver lining, even on the cloudiest of days.
While Eli adored both of his cockatiels, his love of art was vast. He believed that like a good sketch, a good laugh could make any day brighter. His freehand drawings, whether in pencil, pen & ink, pastels, or paints, were his love letters to the world-a world he observed with the eye of an artist and the soul of a poet.
Speaking of love, Eli's heart was a full house. He was the proud father to daughters Michelle Morris-Phillips and Ashley Ross, and a doting grandfather to Colton & Josh Phillips, Lillian & Michiah Ross, and Braydon Richardson. The latest addition, great-grandson Liam Phillips, was the cherry on top of his family sundae. Eli's siblings-Johnny Ray, Jim, Hazel Koerper, Terry, Neida Ross, Ernie, Damon, Rosie, and Walter-formed a boisterous band of Morris mischief-makers. Though he was preceded in death by his son Uriah and his parents, Mitchell & Mimia Morris, the stories and memories they shared are the stuff of family legend.
Eli was the guy who could find humor in any situation. He was the uncle who would pull a quarter out of your ear and then convince you it was from your nose. His optimism was the kind that could power a small city, and his love was the warm, enveloping kind that made you feel like you were home, no matter where you were.
To say Eli was funny is an understatement; he was the kind of funny that made you snort-laugh in the most inappropriate of times. He'd say, "Laughter is the best medicine, and I'm the unofficial pharmacist." His loving nature extended far beyond his family, touching the lives of everyone he met. He was the man who'd help you move a couch and then crack a joke about how the couch probably enjoyed the adventure.
Eli Morris lived a life that was as colorful and memorable as his artwork. He never missed an opportunity to sketch a moment, share a joke, or spread his infectious optimism. As we bid farewell to this remarkable man, we do so with a smile, knowing that his legacy is etched not only on paper but in the hearts of all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
So, here's to Eli-a man who illustrated his love for life and left us all a little brighter for it. May his laughter echo in our memories, and his art continue to inspire us. The world was his canvas, and oh, what a masterpiece he created.
Calling hours for family to receive visiting friends to begin at 11am; Funeral Service to begin at 12pm, both will be held at Schlientz & Moore Funeral Home on Friday, March 07th, 2025. He will be laid to rest with his parents, at Woodland Cemetery in Dayton. May He Rest In Peace
Services and great care are entrusted to Schlientz & Moore Funeral Home. Condolences, fond memories and photos may be shared at: www.DaytonFunerals.com To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Eli, please visit our Tree Store.