John Long Morrison

It is with deepest sorrow that the family of John Long Morrison announces his death on August 23, 2025. Surrounded by family and loved ones, he passed away peacefully at his Atlanta home, Glenwoods, after a several-year-long battle with cancer.

Born on August 2, 1948, in Atlanta, John spent his childhood in Glenwood, Georgia, with his father, JP Morrison, his mother Margaret Long Morrison, and two brothers, Patrick and Sandy. If you haven't heard of Glenwood, you have probably heard of the bigger "city" nearby, Vidalia. Yes, like the onions. Ironically, anyone who knew him knew how much he hated onions!

John always described a semi-feral childhood in Glenwood, building forts, swimming in hidden water holes, and running away from snakes. As a teenager, he found purpose and direction in playing sports like track and basketball. Basketball, in particular, became a lifetime passion for John. No matter how many years passed, his family and friends always knew that if you couldn't find him, he was at the basketball court.

After graduating from high school, John moved to Atlanta to pursue a business degree at the Georgia Institute of Technology, although his college years were briefly interrupted by a two-year stint in the Army. In true John Morrison fashion, even his Army years revolved around being an athlete. He would often recall having the fastest mile during basic training and that he played basketball for the Army while stationed in Korea. Unofficially coached by Mike Krzyzewski (who later led Duke to 5 national championships), John perfected his basketball skills, learned to speak Korean, and saw the world.

Having finished his military service, John returned to Georgia Tech to finish his degree. While getting a head start in the Atlanta business world through HVAC and his new company, Morrison-Newman Heating and Air, John married Ginger Yates and had three children: Virginia, Luke, and Maggie. He taught his children about basketball, golf, business, and literature, passing on the best of himself.

Proving that sometimes you have to wait for the greatest things in life, John eventually met and married the love of his life, Alyse Lucas Corcoran. Their passionate love culminated in the happiest of marriages, lasting over 3 decades. John's family also grew with three stepchildren: Prescott, Noble, and Lucas. Alyse and John travelled the world together, but their favorite place to visit was Botany Bay. This special island is off the coast of South Carolina, and they enveloped themselves in the romance and magic of the sea air. They always drove the long way, savouring their time together on the backroads of the Low Country (and maybe finding a pick-up game along the way).

Still playing basketball whenever he found a good, impromptu street game, John loved his wife, raised his children, and expanded his business, building his real-estate development and management company, Morrison Properties, from almost nothing. He took some big risks in the Atlanta real-estate market, investing and managing in neighborhoods that other developers wouldn't touch. However, John had a gift for seeing potential, which made him a genius businessman and respected community leader. His commitment to the development of areas like the Old Fourth Ward culminated in the jewel of the Atlanta community, the Beltline.

John was not only a savvy businessman but a generous man. Giving back was important to him, and his tenants will remember him being kind and charitable. John didn't believe in kicking people out of their homes because they were having a bad month. Instead, he would rather work with them and help them back on track.

The same values extended to John's employees. He was as loyal to them as they were to him and was always there for them. Because of this, John had a close-knit group of people who not only respected him but loved him. 

His charity expanded to other important causes, including cancer research and veteran services. He and his wife also set up a scholarship endowment at his alma mater, Georgia Tech, called the Alyse L. Corcoran and John L. Morrison Tech Promise Scholarship, a fund specifically for low-income students from South Georgia, where he grew up. His generosity will continue to offer young people the opportunity to earn their degree for years to come.

.Even though he could have retired, John insisted on continuing to work and staying active on the basketball court. When he felt like he was slowing down, he joined a senior league. Of course, he was promptly kicked out for throwing elbows. He always told his kids, "Work hard, play hard," and lived by those standards until the day he died.

John leaves behind his wife, his children, seven grandchildren, business partners, basketball buddies, and life-long friends who will always cherish his memories and share his stories. Whether it was about love, basketball, or business, may we continue to treasure the lessons he taught us all.

A memorial service for John will be held on September 3rd at 2:00 p.m. at the Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church Sanctuary, located at 1660 N. Decatur Road in Atlanta.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Emory Winship Cancer Institute.