Raymond L. Morris

Monday, July 19, 2004 at 11 a.m. at the First Christian Church, 205 W. Park St., Vandalia, Missouri.
Officiating will be: Rev. Dr. Roger Thomas.
Music provided by: Kevin Morris, Brian Snodgrass, Rita Robertson and Barbara Elzea.
Interment will be in the Vandalia Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Grandsons: Richard Morris, Ryan Morris, Rusty Morris, Robert Hunn, Raymond Harris, Greg Harris and Aaron Harris. Honorary pallbearers will be: Leon Schwab, Wade Belts, John Fitzgerald, David Klug, Richard Lange, Don Biggs and Mayo Culwell.

Raymond Leroy Morris passed away at 10:20 p.m. at the Citizens Memorial Hospital in Bolivar, Missouri. Ray graduated from Maplewood High School and later from the Missouri State Embalming College in St. Louis. He worked at Alexander Funeral Chapel in St. Louis and later joined the staff of Lupton's Funeral Home in St. Louis, where he eventually became a co-owner with his brother-in-law Donald Muschany. In 1948, Ray moved his family to Vandalia and began work with his father, Roz, and brother, Rual, in the operation of the Vandalia State Bank (now Bank of America). He served in the capacities of loan officer, cashier and was vice-president at the time of his retirement from the then Centerre Bank. He had served on the board of directors of the Vandalia State Bank prior to his move to Vandalia and again became a member of the board of directors for the bank(Nation's and Boatman's) following his retirement. Ray and Murryl resided in Brownsville, Texas for a number of years following his retirement. Ray was a U. S. Army veteran of World War II, a member of the American Legion, Vandalia Masonic Lodge #491, the Shrine and the Vandalia Country Club. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and later in life, enjoyed woodworking projects.

Born: July 26, 1921 in Jonesburg, Missouri the son of Roz Gilbert and Lola (Brown) Morris.

Married: Murryl Annette Clendenin on June 1, 1943, she survives at their home in Bolivar.

Survivors include: wife, Murryl of Bolivar, Missouri; one son, Ronald R. and wife, Karen Morris of Vandalia; one daughter, Linda and husband, Noel Harris of Bolivar; one brother, Rual Morris of Mexico; one sister, Mary Jayne Muschany of Hot Springs, Arkansas; one brother-in-law, Charles Clendenin of Albuquerque, New Mexico; nine grandchildren, Richard Morris of Kansas City; Marlo Hunn and Ryan Morris, both of Vandalia; Rusty Morris of Columbia; Raymond Harris of Bolivar; Brenda Harris, Greg Harris, Aaron Harris and Dean Harris all of St. Louis and 11 great-grandchildren, Katlyn and Abigail Hunn; Nathan and Andrew Morris; Lucas, Kyle, Felicia, Holly, Anthony and twins Nicholas and Sydney Harris..

Preceded in death by: parents; one sister, Charlene "Chink" Wilson; two brothers-in-law, Ernest "Mush" Wilson and Donald Muschany.

Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church, 205 W. Park, Vandalia, Missouri 63382 or the Alzheimer's Association.