Michael J. Morris

1945 - 2025

Michael J. Morris

October 10, 1945 - July 20, 2025

San Luis Obispo, California - On July 20 we said goodbye to Michael James Morris - a respected leader and a man of faith who believed in service to our community. Michael passed away peacefully at his home in San Luis Obispo, surrounded by family.

Michael Morris was born on October 10, 1945, in San Francisco to Harry and Anne Morris, who also had an older son Gregory. In 1948, Harry, Anne, Greg and Michael moved to San Luis Obispo. By the time Michael graduated from Mission Central Catholic High School in 1963, he had developed an abiding fondness for San Luis Obispo that would never diminish.

Michael's love of learning and his ambition to become a lawyer led him to attend Georgetown University and the University of San Francisco School of Law. Michael met Julia Ann Sheeran while they both were attending Georgetown and they fell deeply in love. They married in January 1968, and together they had two sons, Kevin and Colin. While raising their boys, Michael and Julia were actively involved in Old Mission School, Mission College Preparatory, and Old Mission Church. They enjoyed traveling, especially to Maui, and attending their boys' sporting events.

Michael served as an officer in the United States Army from 1970 to 1972. Upon his discharge he returned to his beloved San Luis Obispo where he would spend the rest of his life. He had the great fortune to join the law firm founded by Peter Andre. Michael spent his entire professional career practicing law in the same firm, which eventually came to be known as Andre, Morris & Buttery. For more than 50 years he served individuals, local businesses, non-profit organizations, and large multi-national companies, giving each the same care, respect and thoughtful advice. He worked tirelessly on behalf of his clients, who depended upon his impeccable judgment to guide them through challenging and complex situations.

Michael was a perfect gentleman in every endeavor. His strong moral compass and deep empathy guided his interactions with everyone. A lawyer's lawyer, Michael advanced the legal profession in many ways, including through his service on the State Bar of California's Board of Trustees. Michael brought business acumen and strategic counsel to his roles as Chairman of Heritage Oaks Bank and Lead Director of NioCorp Developments.

In 1995 Julia Morris died following her battle with cancer. Michael deeply felt the loss of Julia. He found solace in his professional life and drew strength from the support of family and so many in the community.

A few years later Michael was blessed to meet Sandra Lynn Taylor through Sandy's sister and brother-in-law, Pam and Tom Copeland. Soon Michael and Sandy became inseparable. Michael's love for Sandy brought him great joy and a renewed sense of purpose in his personal life. Michael and Sandy married on July 7, 2000. Sandy has twin daughters, Kaci and Keli, whom Michael loved greatly and thought of as his own daughters. Michael and Sandy loved nothing more than to spend time with their children and grandchildren at their home in San Luis Obispo, where there was always a welcoming bed and playroom for all to visit.

Michael had a lifelong commitment to the service of others. On any given Saturday you could find him serving as a lector or eucharistic minister at 5:30 mass at the Old Mission. He provided countless hours of free legal services to the community over his career. And he offered his time and wisdom to a host of community organizations, including as President of the Board of the San Luis Coastal Unified School District, as President of the Foundation for the Performing Arts Center, and as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation for the Diocese of Monterey. He was the recipient of numerous awards for his service to the community and the legal profession, and he was named San Luis Obispo's Citizen of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce in 2004.

Michael is survived by his wife, Sandy; his children: Kevin (Susanne), Colin (Andrea), Kaci Williams (Claiborne) and Keli Lane (Doug); his grandchildren: Rowan, Dashiell, Borne, Mercer, Piper, Blake, Gavin and Elliot; his nieces and nephews: Kelly Morris, Brendan Morris, Kerry Morris, Patrick Morris, Elisa Graceffo, Kenna Klosterman, Maura Klosterman-Vu, Christopher Manteuffel, and Rachel Manteuffel.

A vigil will be held at 6 PM on Wednesday, August 6th at Reis Family Mortuary. The following morning, Thursday, August 7th, a Celebration of Life will take place at 10 AM at Old Mission Church, preceded by an honor guard ceremony at 9:45 AM inside the Church. A reception will immediately follow at the Madonna Inn. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mission College Preparatory Catholic High School, the Foundation for the Diocese of Monterey, No Kid Hungry, or a charity of your choice.