Richard “Dick” Gene Morris, of Warsaw, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. He passed away at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne at the age of 87, surrounded by his loving family members.
He was born on Sept. 24, 1937, in Beaver Dam, to Pauline McFarland Morris and Donald H. Morris. He was one of four children. On Sept. 15, 1957, he married his high school sweetheart, Sharodene B. Lowery, and they were blessed with 67 years of marriage.
Being a true Hoosier, he was raised on a dairy farm, grew up shooting hoops in the barn, playing cards, an avid hunter and making homemade ice cream for all the important occasions. He was a 10-year 4-Her who developed a real passion and talent for raising and showing livestock throughout his youth.
He graduated from Claypool High School in 1955. Dick went on to earn a business degree from International College in Fort Wayne. He began his career in Flint, Mich., at General Motors Corporation and he returned to Warsaw to work at Dahm & Yarian. Dick joined The Parker Industries Company in 1961. Later founding the Supreme Farmstead Equipment Company, Silver Lake, in 1966. He joined DeMuth Steel Products, Schiller Park, Ill., as the president in 1973. Lastly, he opened VR Business Brokers in Fort Wayne before retiring in 2008.
Throughout Dick’s adult life, he continued with his passion for livestock including raising Suffolk sheep, Black Angus cattle, horses and harness racing ponies. He was a devoted Warsaw Tiger basketball fan, having season tickets for 60+ years. Known for being a talented hunter, he ‘enjoyed the chase’ by raising Walker Fox Hounds.
Life’s proudest accomplishments for Dick include winning the 1988 North American Livestock Exposition Supreme Ewe, being a 2011 Kosciusko County Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee, and scoring the only hole-in-one in the 40-year running Annual Bub Morris Classic Golf Tournament.
His greatest joy by far was being together at every opportunity with his family, including a very large extended family. Dick leaves behind his wife, Sharodene; daughter, Rhonda (Maurice) Darbonnier, of Beaufort, S.C.; son, Richard “Rick” Morris, of Warsaw; and his daughter, Renea (Brent) Messmore, of Pierceton. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren: Maurice Darbonnier, Brandi (Josh) Darbonnier-Savage, Brittni (Shawn) Darbonnier, Stephanie (Zac) Jones, Andrew (Julie) Morris, Steve Messmore, Geoffrey Morris, Shana (Kevin) Theriot, Valerie (Conner) Sausaman, Amanda (Adam) Hopkins; and the following great-grandchildren: Chloe, Kelsie, Robbie, Haley, Braxton, Brayden, Sophie, Natalie, Korlynn, Vlad, Jocelyn and Olek. Also surviving is his sister, Marcille Carter, of Alexandria, La.; brother, Don “Bub” (Donna) Morris, of Claypool; as well as many cherished nieces and nephews. He was preceeded in death by his parents; sister, Connie LaRue; granddaughter, Rochelle Morris; and his great-grandson, Grady Weaver.
Dick’s life will be celebrated with a service at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 210 S. High St., Warsaw, and officiated by Pastor Aaron Klein. A graveside service will follow at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw. Friends and family may visit prior to the service from 10 a.m. to noon. Arrangements were entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw.
Memorial donations may be directed to Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 210 S. High St., Warsaw, IN 46580; or to Kosciusko County 4-H Council-Memorial for Dick Morris, 202 W. Main St., Warsaw, IN 46580.
Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s website at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com.