John Edward Morrison, Jr.

John Edward Morrison Jr, 95, died peacefully in his home Sunday January 22, 2017 after visiting with his beloved family throughout the week. Graveside service will be held at Llano Cemetery at 3 PM on Wednesday, January 25th with the family receiving visitors at Cox Funeral Home from 12PM-2PM. John was born in Quanah, TX on June 7, 1921 to Lola Good Morrison Vestal and John E. Morrison Sr. He had many fond memories of roaming and hunting the vast prairies of Hardeman County. He also talked fondly of walking out to his grandparent's farm and doing farm chores with his grandfather. He graduated from Chillicothe High School. He married Kathren A. Condon on May 1, 1942, in Texarkana, TX. Soon after, he joined the Army and served honorably during WW2. He received 3 bronze stars for his heroic and exemplary service. Returning from the war, he attended college, starting at Abilene Christian College and finishing at University of Texas Law School. While attending law school, he was elected to the Texas House of Representatives representing Hardeman County for the 51st & 52nd Legislative sessions. During the 51st Legislative Session, he served on the following Committees: Criminal Jurisprudence, Congressional and Legislative Districts, Education, Livestock and Stock Raising, and Public Lands & Buildings. During the 52nd session, he served as Vice Chair for the Rules Committee as well as serving on the Agriculture, Appropriations, Education, and Public Health Committees. In addition to his Public Service, he passed the Texas Bar Exam 1 year before his graduation from UT Law School in 1951, having achieved some of the highest grades ever recorded, at that time, in his law classes. The family moved to Amarillo, TX in 1953 where John and Kathren raised 4 children. Growing up in the Morrison household was similar to being in the movie "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner". Over the years, John & Kathren provided food, shelter, and support to a Chinese Missionary, a German Immigrant, several small children and numerous nieces and nephews! Over the span of his career, he was an Attorney with the Gibson Ochsner Law Firm, several City governments, a few Oil & Gas Companies as well as maintaining a private practice. He was a devoted and wise father, a doting grandparent and a spectacular great-grandfather! Family was always the most important priority to John, and the grandchildren loved spending the summers at their grandparent's home. In later years, he and Kathren moved to Wheeler, TX, where his son Bill was the Church of Christ Minister and then to Dumas to live with their daughter, Earlene. John loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter, which he passed on to his son, Billy Jack, and his grandchildren. He enjoyed horses, and as he grew older, mules to aid in his hunting adventures. Many who knew John would comment about his unique sense of humor, which was dry but always witty. He was preceded in death by his parents: 2 sons, Timothy Morrison in 1971 and Bill Morrison in 2001; his beloved wife, Kathren in 2010 as well as many dear friends. Survivors include: Daughters Earlene Laminack (Troy) of Dumas and Candy Morrison of Bailey, TX; Daughter in Law, Nancy Morrison of Wheeler; 9 grandchildren, Jeff Morrison (Nicki) of Lubbock, Lori Morrison Sprock (Greg), Audra Laminack Rea (Don), Adam Laminack (Jessica), all of Amarillo and Rebekah Morrison of Mansfield; 7 great-granchildren: Matthew Laminack (Day), Kyle Hewitt, Gavin & Blake Morrison, Emersyn & Grayson Sprock, Teagen & Barrett Laminack; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation Schedule

Cox Funeral Home 4180 Canyon Drive Amarillo, TX 79109 Wednesday, January 25, 2017 12:00 - 2:00 pm

Service Schedule

Graveside Service Llano Cemetery Amarillo, TX Wednesday, January 25, 2017 3:00 pm

Burial Schedule

Llano Cemetery Amarillo , TX

Memorial Contributions

High Plains Children's Home P.O. Box 7448 Amarillo, TX 79114