Known for his big heart, generosity, outgoing personality, sense of humor, work ethic as well as his adventurous nature, he had the ability to connect with people of all ages in his life. Being a straight shooter, telling it like it is, he had deep caring empathy for people who were dealing with their own challenges and making them laugh. His boundless creativity was always on display for anyone to see if they happened to be there as well as his fun-loving energy. He was also fiercely protective of those he loved. He was complicated but beautiful inside and out as some of his friends would say. He was always there volunteering to help those who needed help.
Born during the Millennial generation, he spent his early years in Coos Bay, OR along the Oregon Coast before moving to the Willamette Valley to Salem at the age of three in 1990. He was the middle child of three siblings. All through elementary and middle school years, he would have that competitive streak, whether it was for fundraising to raise the most money or in playing sports. He participated in Youth Sports like Basketball where he was Best Shooter in 1996 and the Best Ball Handler in 1998. In addition, he tried roller hockey, soccer, and baseball within the Battlecreek Little League (BCLL) for several years either playing shortstop or pitcher. His talent would often put him in the older kids’ bracket at a young age. In July 1998 during the District 7 All-Star tournament for BCLL vs. Corvallis LL, he went 4 for 4 with three (3) homeruns driving in six runs. He was given the game ball and was so proud of that. Somewhere along the way he picked up skateboarding which he practiced all the tricks and flips all the time. One doesn’t get by without breaking some bones along the way!
Casey’s love of the outdoors grew out of the many family camping trips to National Parks, outdoor camping, travels to Canada and the many travels within the U.S. It included fishing with his father, river rafting with friends, hiking, four wheeling and camping in the mountains and in wilderness areas. His other interests were metal detecting, snowboarding, music recording studio, bow & arrow hunting, paintball, welding and coin collections, all self-taught. He loved writing his poetry and used writing as an outlet when times got tough.
Casey really was a kid well “ahead of his time” in many ways and definitely not your average kid. By 2003, at 16 years of age, he earned his General Education Degree (GED). In 2006, went to an 8-week car-audio program at Mobile Dynamics (Car Audio school) in AZ with his cousin to become Mobile Electronics Certified Professional (MECP) advanced installer. He has put those skills to use many times through work or friends and family. He held a variety of jobs over the years including car audio installer, food handler, operator at a car wash, painter-laborer, nursery worker laborer, and his latest as a slit line operator at a metal products company. Heeding advice from his father and encouragement from his nanny, in the fall of 2016, he took over a 40-day road trip by himself to see the country. He talked a lot about that great experience.
After the loss of his nanny in 2017, he moved to Keizer from Salem to help his parents. His father, who battled a long illness, died later that year. Working through his grief, he discovered disc golfing at Keizer Rapids Park. Since it was close to home, he went there every chance he had. A life cut too short at 34 years of age by accident, he will leave a hole in the family. The memories we have and the stories we tell are priceless!
Casey is survived by his mother, Diane Morris; sister Amie Rose, her husband Mike and 2 nephews and a niece of Sherwood, OR; and brother Kenny Morris of Salem, OR. He is remembered by his uncle Daniel Morris, his wife Melissa, of Fresno, CA as well as many cousins and nieces and nephews. Casey is preceded in death by his father Thomas Morris and his Nanny Claire Reed.
In honor of Casey, there will be a celebration of life outdoors on Saturday, June 18, 2022 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at the Keizer Rapids Park-Amphitheatre 1900 Chemawa Rd N, Keizer, OR 97303.
Join us afterwards for the Disc Golf Tournament Fundraiser from 10:30am–2 pm. https://www.discgolfscene.com/tournaments/Celebration_of_Casey_Thompson_Morris_Life_Fundraiser_2022
DONATIONS
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.11.2