Gerald Wayne Morris

Gerald Wayne Morris, 84, of California, Mo., passed away Thursday, January 5, 2017, at Moniteau Care Center, California, Mo. He was born on March 24, 1932 in Russellville, Mo., to Earl and Lessie (Hale) Morris. Gerald graduated from Russellville High School in 1950. On January 6, 1951, he was united in marriage to Larna Rohrbach, who survives in California, Mo. He was a member of Friendship Baptist Church. Born and raised on a family farm, Gerald had a passion for working the land and raising livestock. He rarely passed up opportunities to hunt and fish and enjoyed cooking and eating fish and wild game. After being introduced to flying as a teenager, Gerald went on to earn his private pilot's license in the early 70s. One of his favorite pastimes soon became flying around the countryside, taking friends and family for rides in his airplane. Gerald had a soft spot in his heart for all children, especially his grandchildren. He was a mischievous jokester and had a wonderful laugh that came from the depths of his soul. Gerald is survived by his wife Larna of California, Mo.; three children: Sue Hertel (Wayne) of Camdenton, Jim Morris of Jefferson City and Mike Morris (Beth) of California; five grandchildren: Tracy Moore (Paul), Logan Morris, Will Morris, Lindsey Morris and Tyler Morris; three great-grandchildren: Noah Moore, Braidy Moore and Payton Moore; and many nieces and nephews. Along with his parents, Gerald was preceded in death by one brother, Verbal Boyd Morris; and an infant son, John Boyd Morris. The family will receive friends at Windmill Ridge Funeral Service on Wednesday, January 11, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 12, 2017 at Windmill Ridge Funeral Home with Rev. Scot Thomson officiating and a personal eulogy given by his son, Mike Morris. Interment will be at Enloe Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Friendship Baptist Church, Jamie Atwell, or Moniteau Care Center Activities Fund. Online messages to the family may be contributed at www.windmillridgefuneralservice.com.