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Morris, Jim

January 11, 1933 –
 January 15, 2021

Obituary

After a life well-lived, Jim Morris died January 15, 2021 following a brief bout with cancer.

Born January 11, 1933 as snow blew under the rafters onto the bed, Jim constantly worked to better his life and the lives of others.  To begin, as he wrote in his yearbook, he “got out of Hartwell [Georgia].”  He knew that education was key, but first he volunteered for the Air Force and served in Korea. Upon discharge, he studied at The University of Texas. While at The University he met Dorothy Morris, to whom he proposed on their first date. Although she was too bright to accept such a rash proposal, they would spend 60 years together.

Jim worked in journalism before moving to academia, ultimately earning his PhD. He taught for 18 years at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas (where his children, Thomas, Jane and Margaret [d. 1977] were born), before moving to Dallas in 1986 to take a job as head of the advertising sequence at Southern Methodist University. Although he enjoyed mentoring his students and relished their successes, his true enjoyment came from his time with his family.  Key to that was the Colorado house, where the family spent summers alternately building, fishing, or sitting on the deck and watching Pike’s Peak grow.  There, Jim and Dorothy created a second life in retirement, cultivating at least as many friendships as they had in Dallas or Manhattan.

Jim spent his last months surrounded by the love of his family, which of course includes his children’s spouses, Jennifer Morris and Stan Groom. 

While we cannot have a gathering at this time, we hope to have a celebration of life later in the year where we can gather to laugh instead of cry, and share stories of Jim.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Jim’s name to one of the following causes:  www.cancersupporttexas.org (Local Gilda’s Club: Community is stronger than cancer); www.FutureofDallas.org (Scholarships: Inspiring community investment to accelerate students’ success); https://florissantfire.com (Florissant, CO Volunteer Fire Dept.).

    Inez edwards
    21 Jan 2021
    8:13am

    Dorothy, my son Tim Leblanc let me know about Jim. I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Sincerely Inez edwards

    cathy Barber
    21 Jan 2021
    8:35am

    Hold his memory close. May God bless you with His love and mercy. Hugs and Love, Cathy and Santos

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"My Daddy’s service and our family experience at Aria Northwest Highway was truly blessed. Funeral Director Dustin Martin is the kind of person that you would like to see on a more regular basis – but in his industry – you hope to not see him that often. That being said – THANK YOU DUSTIN for your unending kindness, compassion and friendship through the process. Meeting you and discussing Dallas History, Find A Grave and my Dad’s lifelong contributions to the great City of Dallas was simply wonderful! In memory of my dad James A. Dodd, Sr. – I want to personally thank you and let you know that you made everything better in that moment. Your calling to “Be There” is spot on. Aria has a one in a million guy in you! Bling Blinky of TEXAS Shout Out: God Bless You!!"
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