Harvey Joe Morrow

H. Joe Morrow, 76, of Waco, died peacefully Sept. 9, 2008, at Wesley Woods in Waco. Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 13, at Lake Shore Baptist Church with burial to follow at Waco Memorial Park. The Rev. Sharlande Sledge and the Rev. Dorisanne Cooper will officiate. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12, at OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Blvd. Joe was born Jan. 6, 1932, to Boma R. and Matty Jane (Webster) Morrow. He grew up in Dallas where he graduated from Adamson High School in 1949, and married Shirley Ann Spearman in 1951. Together they had four children. Joe worked for the Majestic Theater and drove streetcars in Dallas. He worked for Mobile Oil Company before starting his life-long career in the fastener business. Joe was active in the Baptist Church as a deacon and in men's groups. He was a member of the Lions Club and ran for school board for the Alief Independent School District after moving to Houston. During his working years, Joe was office manager and was responsible for establishing new branches for several different companies. He lived in Omaha, Neb., Houston, Kansas City, Kan., Dallas, and Atlanta, Ga. In 1976, he moved to Waco and founded Waco Bolt and Nut. The same year he married Harriet McPherson Ekmark from Roswell, Ga. Together, they began 32 years of life together. Later Bell Bolt and Supply and Morrow Bolt and Supply were added to the stores Joe owned. Joe was a member of the Southwest Fastener Association and served as its president. He was an honest and respected businessman. He treated his employees as family, and they in turn gave him their loyalty and love. Joe ran the business successfully for twenty years until he sold it and retired in 1996. His sense of humor was a delight. He loved to laugh. Joe and Harriet joined Lake Shore Baptist Church in 2002, where he was a beloved member. Together they delivered Meals on Wheels from the Lake Shore kitchen until Joe entered Wesley Woods in 2005. Joe was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Ernest Morrow and William Morrow; and a sister, Elsie Ryan. He is survived by his wife, Harriet; his children, Stephen Ray Morrow, Sheri Lynn Hanson, Julie Ann Morrow and Brett Alan Morrow; four step-sons, Allen C. Ekmart Jr., David Lee Ekmart, Christopher Ekmart and Kenneth Patrick Ekmart; seven grandchildren; and six step-grandchildren. Thanks to Wesley Woods Alzheimer's Care Center for their patient and loving care. Memorials may be made to the Parkinson Foundation, 1501 NW 9th Avenue/ Bob Hope Road, Miami, FL 33136. The online guestbook is available at www.oakcrestwaco.com January 6, 1932 - September 9, 2008 Sign the Guest Book at www.wacotrib.com