Morris Calvin Drees

Morris Calvin Drees passed peacefully into the loving arms of our Savior on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Morrie was born in Columbus, MS, where he attended Lee High School. He then joined the United States Navy and became a pilot. The Navy sent him to college at Ole Miss and Mississippi State where he earned a BA in Business. While stationed in Jacksonville, he was a Guided Missile Officer on the USS Saratoga and met his future wife, Mary Whittington. Morrie, who retired as a Commander, was a Naval Aviator first and foremost and loved every aspect of that career. He could tell you everything about every aircraft he flew. He was stationed at Pensacola NAS as a flight instructor in 1966 where he started a family. He brought his family to Pensacola Beach in the summer of 1968 when he bought a 2-bedroom cottage on the sound, which later became the family home.

The family moved around the globe in the Navy, but when he retired in 1976, they moved to the Pensacola Beach house where he ran the Mai Kai Motel for one year. Morrie took his family to Columbus where he earned a degree in Carpentry. The family returned to Gulf Breeze in 1980 where he ran Gulfside Resort (the Mai Kai where the Sandshaker was the hotel bar), Howard Johnsons (including the Windjammer Condo), The Tiki, The Barbary Coast, and the Holiday townhomes.

Morrie always made an impact on his community. He founded the Pensacola Beach Elks Veterans Day Parade. He was Chairman of the Board for the Krewe of Wrecks and was the head of the Bean Team for Krewe’s Red Beans and Rice luncheon. His many achievements and accomplishments are too long to list; suffice to say he was loved by this community.

He is preceded in death by his wife Mary and his son Davis. He is survived by his wife Monica Drees, daughter Amelia Drees Keeley, (Patrick), son Matthew Drees (Dawn), and Jayne Drees Redmond, (Johnny) and son Robert Drees, stepdaughters Ashley Niemann (Barry) and Kathryn Horning (Tyler). Grandchildren Katie, Amanda, Marissa, Maci, Nathan and Thomas; and Great Grandchildren Zelda, Zeke and Atticus.

BRAVO ZULU

Visitation and Service will be held on Monday, Nov. 10 from 1-3 p.m. at Rose Lawn Funeral Home with a graveside service following. A Celebration of Life to honor Morrie will be held on Saturday November 15, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Randle Hall at the Pensacola Beach Community Church, 920 Panferio Drive.

In lieu of flowers donations maybe made to a charity of your choice.