James Morris

1945 - 2022

SAVOY - James Leonard Morris of Savoy was a man respected for decades in his field of work. Known as "Jim," he was a man beloved by many in his community and worldwide, a man of good humor, clever wit and perennial good cheer.

Jim passed away Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022, at Illini Heritage Rehab & Health, after a brief illness.

Jim devoted decades in the service of his communities, and to mankind at large, in the field of law enforcement and criminal justice. He was born on Feb. 21, 1945, in Bedford, Ind., to Carl Morris and Mary Ellen Hawkins. He graduated from high school in Somerset, Ky., and went on to major in criminal justice at the University of Indiana. After his college graduation, he worked for the FBI in Washington, D.C., before joining the U.S. Air Force in 1966.

After his discharge from the U.S. military, he spent 50 years in the law enforcement field, starting with security contracts with the Chicago Federal Reserve Bank. He was a very courageous man.

He knew his business of keeping people safe. Because he cared. He cared about people and their safety. He cared about human rights. This led him to additional stints with the United Nations Peace Keeping Forces in both Kosovo and East Timor, during the long and traumatic struggles the people of those countries endured while achieving their independence.

Other places his law enforcement work took Jim to included Terre Haute, Ind., Danville, Paxton, Tolono and Longmont, Colo. Later in his career, he was an instructor of firearms safety at the University of Illinois. He was a Master Pistol Trainer as well as a Master Revolver Trainer. Over the years, Jim was awarded many awards and medals of valor.  They cover an entire wall of the home he shared with his beloved wife, Norita Morris.

Jim and Norita were members of Bible Baptist Church in Savoy. Jim loved his police work, throughout his life, and in his free time he enjoyed reading, current events, classical and jazz music. He taught Norita how to shoot a pistol, and they often went to the local range together to practice. One could say they were "comrades in arms," literally. They had lots of fun together with various hobbies and some traveling over the last 20 years.

What Norita would like for people to remember about Jim is that he was loyal, gentle and loving. He was such a good husband and father. He was funny and had so many interesting stories from his time spent all over the world. Most of all, he was a good role model for young people, in life and especially in the criminal justice field. He inspired many young people to make a career in criminal  justice, because they admired him. Jim Morris was a problem solver, and through out his life, he always went the extra mile to help people in trouble.

Jim was preceded in death by his mother and stepfather, Robert and Mary Wray of Terre Haute; and grandparents, Eithel and Bessie Hawkins of Heltonville, Ind.

Jim is survived by his wife, Norita G. Morris of Savoy; son, Paul R. Morris (Jennifer) of Inola, Okla.; daughter, Robin Brannigan (Casey) of Wake Forest, N.C.; and stepchildren, Rick Padilla (Tamsan), Sandra Sabater and O'Neil Padilla of Massachusetts, Florida and Australia, respectively. Jim has a surviving brother, John Wray of Terre Haute. Additionally, Jim has eight surviving grandchildren, Leighellen (Dion) of Rantoul, Savannah Morris of Westville, Gabriella Morris of Inola, Chaelan Brannigan of Wake Forest, Venatia Norita Padilla, Isabella Padilla, Demetrious Padilla Crystal, Thora Padilla and a great-grandson, Kindrick Unzicker, of Rantoul.

A celebration of life service will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 9, at Bible Baptist Church, 4001 W. Kirby Ave., Champaign, IL 61822. Pastor Mike Smith will officiate.

Cremation rites have been accorded at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 710 N. Neil St., Champaign, IL 61820.