Orville Gerald Morris

Orville Gerald Morris, 92, Kennewick resident, former longtime Moses Lake resident, passed away Sunday, Sept. 25, 2005 at the Avalon Health and Rehabilitation Center in Pasco. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, Sept. 30, 2005 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Rose Street Chapel in Moses Lake with Bishop Chris Hyer conducting. Viewing will be on Thursday, Sept. 29 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Kayser's Chapel, with a family greeting time from 5-7 p.m., and on Friday from 9 to 9:45 a.m. at the Rose Street Chapel. Arrangements are in care of Kayser's Chapel and Crematory, Moses Lake.

Orville was born September 17, 1913 in Pratt County, Kan., son of the late Barton and Florence M. (Parker) Morris. He was raised and educated in Pratt and Garden City, Kan., graduating from high school at Garden City.

He married Grace Elizabeth Leonard on May 23, 1937 in Holly, Colo. and, after joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on September 12, 1944. They traveled west to Nampa, Idaho and later, in 1955, to Moses Lake where he managed the bakery in Sigmans Grocery Store. He later began working as a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, first at Larson Air Force Base Officer's housing and then for the business district in Moses Lake. After 21 great years, he retired from the Postal Service in 1976.

During his early retirement years, he enjoyed traveling with his wife as active members of the Good Sam Trailer Club, always returning home to 515 Canterbury Lane, Moses Lake. Orville was an active member of the Moses Lake 3rd Ward, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He and Grace served in many church callings including 18 months in the South Dakota, Rapid City Mission and two years as ordinance workers in the Seattle Temple. He spent many years involved, with Grace, in collecting and repairing antique dolls. Orville's life was devoted to his religious beliefs and family. In August of 2002, Orville and Grace moved to Kennewick.

Family was his greatest joy. He is survived by his loving wife, Grace E. Morris, Kennewick and four daughters along with their spouses and families:

Daughter Jean (Weston) Nielsen, Everett, WA; granddaughter Cindy and Lance Hudson and their daughters Lindsey, Elyse, Erin and Savanah; granddaughter Susan and Ken Stull and their children Joseph, Jacob, Caleb, and Rebecca.

Daughter Alice (Ruel) Hyer, Moses Lake; grandson Chris and Nancy Hyer and their family Nichole and Ryan Weir, Sara, and Andrew; grandson Lynn and Cyndi Hyer and their children Trevor, Nathan, Samuel, and Caroline; grandson John and Debbie Hyer and their children Cody, Allison, Megan, and Austin; granddaughter Lora and Joe Wood and their children Calvin, Jared, and Brandon; granddaughter, Jill and Guy Caldwell and their children Melanie and Courtney; granddaughter Kathy and Jason Fowers and their children Nikolai, Rachel, and Annika.

Daughter MARIAN and Dean Pendlebury, Selah, WA; grandson Neal and Jennifer Pendlebury and their children Ethan, Lane, Emnmeline, Mira, and Blase; granddaughter Kay and Richard Menzies and their children Brett, Shane, and Dani; granddaughter, Ann and Andrew Cook and their family Travis, Kyle, Mindy, Sandra, and Cammie; grandson Paul and Alison Pendlebury.

Daughter ORVA and Terry Warnick, Kennewick, WA; grandson Carl and Dawn Warnick; grandson Peter and Lydia Warnick and their daughter Eve; grandson Orville and Mette Warnick and their children Justice, Ethan, and Olivia; granddaughter Heidi and Alex Rawlins.

Besides his parents, Orville was preceded in death by two brothers, Everett L. and Raymond M. Morris.