Mark Martin Morris III

1940 - 2010

passed away at his home in Tiburon on Aug. 17, 2010. If you were ever to ask Mark what the secret to a happy life was, his answer probably would have been quite simple: "Honesty, Hard Work, Service, and Family."

Born in San Francisco on January 22, 1940 to Mark & Aileen Morris, Mark (Mickey) put everything he had into everything he did – school, sports, scouting, work and family. Never without a job, he worked in his parents' vending machine business from an early age. He was a devoted family member, a champion swimmer, and one of the youngest EAGLE SCOUTS TROOP 17 ever saw.

Once Mark knew what he wanted, he went after it with a kind of dogged tenacity. He never complained about the obstacles life put in his path; he simply pushed forward tirelessly, patiently and with good humor.

Upon receiving his first pair of glasses at age 11, he learned the profound value of the gift of sight and dedicated himself to a career in optometry. After graduating Lowell, he completed his coursework at UC Berkeley in 3 years and went on to Los Angeles College of Optometry (now Southern California College of Optometry.) He received his O.D. in 1963.

As an optometrist, Mark turned down more lucrative opportunities to work in San Francisco's Mission district because he was determined to help bring sight to a community in need. His practice was a pillar of the community where he and his loyal staff of professionals were proud to help 2, 3 and even 4 generations of patients see a little clearer.

Mark was determined to give back to the organizations that had given him so much. He continued to be active in scouting, serving as scoutmaster for Tiburon's Troop 48 where he proudly pinned an Eagle Scout on his son. He served on both the Cal Alumni Association Board and the SCCO Council of Regents. He also served as president of the San Francisco Optometric society and trustee of the California Optometric Association. Throughout his service, he focused on imparting to the next generation the same values that guided his life.

It wasn't just career and service that Mark pursued with dogged tenacity. He met Susan Smith when he was 16 years old and decided right then that she was the only girl for him. They were married 6 years later and shared a gentle, loving and incredibly supportive relationship with her for the rest of his life. They raised 2 children, Kathy & Steve, and instilled in them the same core values. They also surrounded themselves with an amazing group of friends with whom they enjoyed games, travel, good meals and adventures.

Attending his first Big Game at age 8, Mark was always a Cal fan, and he and Sue continued the tradition with over four decades of season tickets and camping at the Lair of the Bear. It's no coincidence that both Kathy and Steve are Cal grads. Also a devoted Giants fan, baseball has been an important part of Morris family life since Mark's childhood and attending baseball games with his father, grandfather, brother and cousins at Seals Stadium.

It was a tremendous blow when Mark was diagnosed with ALS, but he faced it with the same strength and dignity that defined his life. Never complaining, he endured each change in his condition with patience and good spirits. He was fortunate during this difficult time to be surrounded, not only by his close friends and family, but also by a group of tireless and deeply compassionate caregivers, the superb team at the UCSF's ALS clinic, and the staff of Hospice by the Bay.

Still, Mark would not want to be remembered by the disease which claimed his life, but rather by the good works he did, by all the people touched by scouting, by the tens of thousands whose sight is a little clearer and above all by his friends and family who will do their best to carry on the values by which he lived.

Mark was preceded in death by his loving parents and in-laws Mark & Aileen Morris and Barbara & Bob Smith. He is survived by a close and adoring family: Susan Smith Morris, his wife of 48 years, daughter Kathy Morris of Santa Rosa and son and daughter-in-law Steve & Karen P. Morris of Los Angeles. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law Russell & Joan Morris of Los Gatos, and their children, Jennifer & Scott Robinson and Chris & Michelle Morris, and many loving cousins.

A memorial service will be held at 11am, Sunday, Aug. 22 at Congregation Emanu-El, Arguello & Lake St, San Francisco.

Donations in Mark's memory may be made to the following organizations or charity of your choice: ALS Association Golden West Chapter, 1 Embarcadero Center, Ste 1530, San Francisco, CA 94111; Cal Alumni Association, 1 Alumni House, Berkeley, CA 94720; Hospice by the Bay, 17 E. Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Larkspur, CA 94939; Southern California College of Optometry, 2575 Yorba Linda Blvd., Fullerton, California 92831
Sinai Memorial Chapel
(415) 921-3636