Gene Douglas Morris, Class of 1948, a starting tackle on the 1947 Monongah High football team who also played basketball for the Lions, passed away Wednesday, December 5.

Gene lived in Enterprise with wife Mary Jo Heldreth Morris.

Gene was a resident of Fazio’s ElderCare in Stoney Lonesome operated by Cora Fazio, my cousin through her marriage to David Fazio, son of Renzy Fazio and Frances Olesky Fazio, sister of my father, John W. Olesky, Sr.

Gene also was a Fairmont State graduate and a Marine in the Korean War.

Paul Maxie Morris, Gene’s brother and former Greater Marion Public Service District president, passed away in February.

The other children of the late Earl and Josephine Hunt Morris are Jeffrey Wayne Morris of Rivesville, Robert Morris of Idamay, Ruth Morris Keener, Kathleen Morris Rumer and Leatrice Morris.

 

On the 1947 Monongah High starting offense with left tackle Gene were right end John Matkovich, right tackle Louis DePond, right guard Richard Basagic, center Jim Jacobin, left guard Holloway Williams, left end Joe Argiro, quarterback Homer Delovich (later one of the best amateur golfers in West Virginia), halfbacks Albert Condo and Chester Vozniak and fullback Bob Fox. Sadly, few are alive today.

omeHHoHHHomer Delovich (later one of the best amateur golfers in West Virginia), halfbacks Albert Condo and Chester Vozniak and fullback Bob Fox. Sadly, few are alive today.

Matkovich lives in Palm Harbor, Florida with wife Dolores Sweede Matkovich, Class of 1953.

Gene Morris worked at Westinghouse (later North American Phillips) for many years and became a foreman. His son, Gary Morris, Class of 1979, lives in Frederick, Maryland. Other children are Mike Morris, Class of 1977, in Morgantown, and Vicky Morris-Dueer, in Irving, Texas.

Gene’s obituary:

Gene Douglas Morris, 89, of Enterprise, WV passed away on December 5, 2018 at Fazio’s Elder Care.  He was born in Carolina, WV on November 6, 1929, and was the son of the late Josephine and Earl Morris. He graduated from Monongah High School and Fairmont State College.

He was a Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War and received the Marine Corps Good Conduct, National Defense Service, and Korean Service metals, and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.  He retired from Westinghouse – North American Phillips, where he worked for 43 years. He was a good athlete and while in the Marines, he was offered a contract from the Detroit Tigers in 1948 to become a major league baseball player.  However, he chose to continue his service to the Marines and subsequently played on the Camp Pendleton post baseball team.

He loved to hunt and fish and was an avid Mountaineer football and basketball fan.  He was a devoted husband and father.  He is survived by his wife, Mary Jo of 65 years; two sons, Mike Morris and wife, Joanne of Morgantown, and Gary Morris and wife Donna of Frederick, Maryland; a daughter, Vicky Morris-Dueer and husband Adam of Irving, Texas; and two brothers, Robert Morris of Idamay and Jeffrey Morris of Rivesville. 

 In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by three sisters, Leatruce Morris, Ruth Keener, Kathleen Rumer; and one brother, Paul Morris.

His family would like to thank Amedisys Hospice for their care and support as well as the Harrison County Emergency Squad of Shinnston.

The family will receive friends at Domico Funeral Home at 414 Gaston Avenue in Fairmont on Sunday, December 9, 2018 from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The funeral service at will be held Monday, December 10, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home with Randy Shuttlesworth officiating. Interment will follow at Shinnston Memorial Cemetery where full military rites will be performed by the Marion County Honor Guard. Online condolences may be sent to his family at www.domicofh.com .