Don Monte Morris

Don Monte Morris
November 30, 2022
San Luis Obispo, California - Don Monte Morris lived every day with a friendly zest for life that instantly turned a stranger into a friend. His larger than life presence and optimism was contagious. His journey began in Hollywood, California, in March 1930, born to George and Sarah Pat Morris (Daley) of Carlinville, IL. Don's brother George Dint was also at home to greet him. Don attended and graduated from Chaffey H.S., Mt. San Antonio College (AA) and California Polytechnic State University (BA & Masters), and UCLA (Doctorate). Don passed peacefully with his family by his side on November 30 in San Luis Obispo.
Don was a great athlete and track and field man throughout his youth. He placed third in the nation for high and low hurdles, and at Junior NCAA track he placed second in the nation in the 440 hurdles. Don also enjoyed the camaraderie of basketball and continued playing throughout his senior years and into his 80's. While attending Cal Poly and before he joined the Navy, Don met and fell in love with Jean Maughmer of San Luis Obispo at Avila Beach in 1950. After a four-year courtship, they were married in San Luis Obispo and in time had three wonderful children. Don is the beloved father of daughter Karen and Steve Belick, son Cliff (who sadly passed in 2016), daughter Sharon and John Donovan. He is admired and loved by his Grandchildren: Miles, Toni, Sarah, Katherine, Rachel, Emily and Merry.
Don joined the Navy while still dating Jean and completed Officer Flight training and became a Naval Airship Pilot. He was proud to be known as the officer who flew airships aka blimps. Don served his country as an active duty officer and then in the Navy Reserve. He retired as a Commander after a 42-year naval career.
Don was passionate about life and meeting new people and chose to pursue a career in education. He had a variety of professions such as: teacher at Morro Bay H.S., Principal of San Luis Obispo Night School and Adult School Principal in the Simi Valley. He earned his doctorate in Higher Education from UCLA while continuing to work in education and support his family. Other careers were Dean at Moorpark College and returning to Cal Poly as founder and dean of Cal Poly Extended Education Program and Professor in the College of Education.
Professor Morris with his wife Jean took a one year sabbatical from Cal Poly and traveled throughout Europe, where Don conferred with educators about their programs. They returned with great stories and a thirst to see more of the world. Upon retirement Don and Jean traveled over much of the world, and have been to many continents.
Don was passionate about continuing to contribute to his community in retirement and has founded the Central Coast Free Speaker's Bureau, Retired Active Men's Coffee Cabinet, and Widowed Person's Association. He has written over 150 movie reviews for the Santa Maria Times, and over 40 columns of "Greatest Athletes of the Central Coast" in the Journal Plus Magazine of the Central Coast. Don has co-hosted over 70 shows on the Dave Congalton Talk Radio Show discussing a wide variety of topics. Don Morris has been a Rotarian for over 50 years and a member of the MOWW, the San Luis Obispo Elks, American Legion, MOAA and Navy League. At the age of 55 Morris started participating in the Senior Games and the World Senior Games. He also served on the Board of Directors for the California State Senior Games. He has won over 100 medals in Senior Games competitions with his famous free throw, hot spot, 3 point shot, and 3 on 3 teams.
Life on earth was heaven to Don. He was an enthusiastic storyteller and active listener who shared his many life experiences with joy to anyone and everyone. He has brought great joy to many people: strangers, acquaintances, friends, and family members. He was a loyal American, Cal Poly man, military man, friend and family man. Don lived in San Luis Obispo County for over 58 years and embraced the community with his full heart. It is hard summarizing such a brilliant, dramatic, ambitious, exciting life in such few words. His family is proud, fortunate, and honored to have been loved by and having shared in the life of such a wonderful man, husband, father, grandfather, uncle and cousin. We will grievously miss him and joyously remember him.