Stanley Lee Morris Jr.

Having celebrated his triumphs, gathered his treasure, and endured his tragedies, Lee departed this life on February 8, 2026 at the age of 88. Lee had a long, healthy, and full life. He was an avid sailor, wildlife photographer, and scuba diver. At the time he hung up his regulator at the age of 84, he was among the oldest active scuba divers in the world, and he and his, Susan, scuba dived with Tiger sharks without a cage. (It is not the breaths you take, but the moments that take your breath away.) He was also the longest serving judge of the Portsmouth General District Court, a prospect that did not appear promising in his early years. In his teens, for reasons not even known to himself, he embarked upon a life of juvenile delinquency. After completing 9th grade, he quit his 3rd high school and joined the USAF soon after turning 17. It was here that he quickly learned that his actions and attitudes were not as well tolerated, as they were by the aunt who raised him.

In the Air Force, he served as an air traffic controller, an endeavor that gave him a sense of accomplishment and worth. While in the Air Force, he obtained his GED and upon leaving the service, he was allowed to attend The Norfolk Division of the Colleges of William and Mary (which later became ODU) on probation. While there, he became the top varsity debater and won 25 speaking awards in academic debate. He took unashamed joy when he, a high school dropout, and his partners from The Norfolk Division and later ODU defeated the likes of Duke, Holy Cross, Princeton, Georgetown, John Hopkins, and Wake Forest together with the major Virginia colleges. He was particularly pleased when he and his partner, James Bryan, were the only team to defeat the Dartmouth College team the year it went on to win the National Debate Championship. Debate was a major highlight of his life and he always treasured it. Lee then attended the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary. At Marshall-Wythe, he served on the Law Review and was the lead speaker on the first moot court team in school history to advance to the National Moot Court Finals in NYC.

Upon graduation, Lee practiced law for several years before having the good fortune, with the help of Judge Robert F. McMurran and his law firm partner and dear friend Caroll O. Ferrell, to be appointed a judge of the Portsmouth General District Court in 1979. He dedicated himself to knowing the law, listening carefully to the evidence, and most importantly, never paying attention to the faces of the litigants or their lawyers, in the belief that justice really should be blind. He served as a full-time judge on the bench of that court for 30 years and served in one judicial capacity or another for 42 years. Lee also served as the Chairman of the Judicial Ethics Committee of the District Court Judicial Conference and as a faculty assistant at the National Judicial College in Reno, Nevada. Upon retirement, he inaugurated "Too Dear to Die," an outreach program dedicated to the saving of the lives of new teen drivers and the hearts of their loved ones.

Before his passing, Lee left the following message for his family and friends, "I have been such a fortunate man. I have been blessed by a loving and devoted wife, Susan L. Morris. I have been blessed with three wonderful children, Stanley L. Morris, III, son, who sadly predeceased Lee; Cynthia K. Cowan (Ray), daughter; and Pastor Marshall Benbow (Diane), stepson; four wonderful grandchildren (Kayse, Eliza, Psalter, and Jacob), each special in his own way; and his loving brother, Ritchie Fuller. He was also blessed to have dear friends, Carroll Ferrell, Stan Dobson, and Ritchie Fuller, in particular, who greatly enriched his life.

Lee also skied Tahoe (until age 78), sailed the bays and oceans (until age 82) and spent hour after hour beneath the sea enjoying creatures large and small in an underwater world almost beyond belief (until age 84), all with his beloved companion, his Susan. "No man could have reasonably asked for more even without the gift of God and I have had that also. So, tip your glass and smile for me and the life I had for I will be smiling with you."

At his request, Lee will be cremated and his ashes will be spread on the creek where he lived and which he loved so dearly. It was on this creek that he relived the joys of his boyhood and where he felt closest to God. Without the Honorable Jac Cales being available to provide a witty and memorable (if somewhat stinging) eulogy, as Lee had hoped, at his request, there will be no services. Although always a believer, Lee truly found God through adversity later in life through clear signs of God's love, which he never felt he deserved but which gave him great comfort. His last hope was that all who read this, who have not already done so, will open their hearts and minds and give God a chance. He wishes them the joy, the peace, and the comfort this will bring.

R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home and Crematory Downtown Suffolk Chapel is assisting the family. Condolences may be registered at RWBakerFH.com.