Last Updated on September 24, 2020 by Kroeger Funeral Home
Thomas Million Morris, Jr, age 75, died January 8, 2020, in Naples, FL, after a lengthy illness.
Born July 2, 1944, in Logansport, he was the son of Thomas Million Morris, Sr. and Margaret (Jones) Morris.
While in high school, the class of ’62 “Logan Berries”, Tom participated in Choir, Swing Choir, Winter Fantasy Musical Productions, Band, Swing Band, varsity tennis and varsity wrestling.
After graduation, he attended Indiana University in Bloomington, graduating in January 1967, with a Business Degree. While at IU, he was a member of Delta Upsilon Fraternity and met Ilse Bried, his future wife, at an IU Sing competition practice.
Tom’s next 4 years were in the United States Air Force as an Air Defense Controller, serving 3 years at Luke AFB in Phoenix, and one year remote in Alaska, at King Salmon and Cape Romanzoff Air Force Bases, watching for activity from Russia.
Tom and Ilse married February 7, 1970, before his remote tour in Alaska. Tom left the Air Force with the rank of Captain in 1971 and returned to Logansport to join his father and mother in the family business, TM Morris, Mfg., a wire harness company.
Tom was very active in the Logansport community: a member of the Logansport Elks, and past President of several organizations: Logansport Rotary Club, IU Alumni Association of Cass County, Indiana Society of Chicago, Logansport/Cass County Chamber of Commerce, Logansport Economic Development Commission, Cass County Data Processing Board, Vice President of Cass County Council and United Way. He also served on the Cass County Community Foundation Board, Cass County Planning Commission, the North Central Indiana Private Industry Council, and on committees at IU/PU Kokomo. Being appointed a delegate to the White House Conference on Small Business in ’86 was a special honor.
He was a dedicated IU fan, enthusiastic golfer, an accomplished photographer, cook, and skier, as well as a great tennis player. Tom also shared an interest in musicals, theater and plays, Art and Craft Fairs, antique finds, good food, and loved to travel. We all enjoyed the wonderful ski trips and educational family trips to US National Parks and Europe he planned.
Tom and Ilse loved Lake Maxinkuckee, where so many summer years were spent enjoying golf, boating, sailing, skiing, and life with family and friends. After retirement in 2006, winters were spent in Naples, FL enjoying more good food, golf, boating, Art Fairs, and life with family and friends.
Surviving are his wife of 50 years, Ilse Bried Morris, Logansport, daughters, Erika Morris of Logansport, and Kendra (Ryan) Kleckner of Lafayette, and grandchildren, Brooklyn, Bodey, Carter, and Olivia. He is greatly missed.
He is also survived by cousins, Shelley (Fred) Hillis of Culver, Melissa (Paul) Gerni of Logansport, and Bob (Sue) Shanteau of Greensboro, GA, who grew up together in Logansport.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Thomas M, Sr. and Margaret Morris, grandparents, aunts, and uncles.
A private family service was held earlier in September at Mount Hope Cemetery at the family gravesite.
A Celebration of Life Open House will be held Sunday, September 27, 2020, at Amelio’s On The River, 431 S. Fifth Street, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Additional parking is available in the West Side parking lot of Amelio’s. Face masks are encouraged but not mandatory.
Memorial contributions may be made to the “Tom Morris Family Endowment”, in care of the Cass County Community Foundation, PO Box 441, Logansport, IN 46947. Envelopes will be available at Amelio’s during the Open House.
Kroeger Funeral Home, Logansport, is in charge of arrangements.