Hiram Louis Morrison Jr.

HIRAM LOUIS MORRISON, JR. passed away on Thursday, June 2nd after celebrating his 95th birthday just three weeks prior. Born on May 12, 1921 to Edythe and Hiram Louis Morrison in New Rochelle, New York, Lou came from a multigenerational Dallas family and returned to live in Dallas as soon as he could. He spent most of his youth living in New York and New Jersey and attended Peddie School, a college preparatory school in New Jersey where, among other things, he enjoyed playing ice hockey and running track and cross country. During the summers, Lou would often visit Dallas to spend time with his paternal aunt, Doris Farrell, whom he adored, and would make trips with her to her West Texas cattle ranch which he grew to love and which he would many years later own and operate with his sister.

After graduating from Peddie, Lou was enrolled at Southern Methodist University when World War II broke out. Along with some of his Kappa Alpha fraternity brothers, he enlisted in the service, choosing the Army Air Corps, and became a pilot. After the war, Lou returned to finish his degree at SMU where he met and fell madly in love with his future dance partner and travel companion, Jeannette Story. They wed shortly thereafter in 1946 and were happily married for 68 years until Jeannette passed away in 2014.

In addition to being a devoted and loving husband, Lou was a wonderful father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He enjoyed spending time with his family, particularly on holidays and special occasions, as well as attending children’s and grandchildren’s sports, musicals and other school activities. Lou cared deeply about people no matter their color, creed or station in life, and he never met a stranger. He had a soft spot in his heart for all animals and especially loved riding horses. He was an avid reader and regularly used the Highland Park Library. Although Lou did not attend Highland Park High School, he looked forward each Fall to cheering on the Scots football teams and going to their games with Jeannette regardless of where the Scots played or what the weather was. They had the same reserved seats at Highlander Stadium for over 40 years.

Lou received his law degree from SMU and practiced law as a sole practitioner for most of his career. He felt privileged to serve as Town Attorney for the Town of Highland Park for over thirty years and was so very proud of the community that he served. He was still an actively licensed Texas attorney at the time of his death. In addition to the practice of law, he was also for many years the operating partner of the West Texas family ranch of which he was so fond.

Lou was a past president of the SMU Alumni Association as well as the Sertoma and Exchange Clubs. He was a member of the Dallas Bar Association, the Dallas Country Club and The Dallas Petroleum Club. He and Jeannette loved to dance and they belonged to many local dinner and dance clubs too numerous to name.

Besides dancing, Lou and Jeannette were passionate about traveling. They formed the Mustang Camera Club and led groups all over the world for many years, making lifelong friendships and special memories along the way. As they got older, they still traveled together on their own, going on cruises while well into their late eighties. They loved the cruise ships because they could both travel to destinations as well as dance the night away on them. Now, having been to so many places and countries all over this world, Jeannette and Lou are reunited so they can once again dance all night and explore together in eternity new places they have never been.

Lou was predeceased by his beloved wife Jeannette as well as his sister Louise McLaurin and her husband Banks. He is survived by his son Louis Morrison III and wife Iru (Beth), along with their children Christopher Morrison and wife Sarah and great grandchildren Haynes and Ellie Grace Morrison, and Kyle Morrison; by his son Mark Morrison and wife Christine, along with his children Robert Lou Morrison and wife Audrey, Kevin and Brian Morrison; and by his daughter Lucy McDaniel and husband John, along with their children Katie and Caroline McDaniel. The family would like to express its heartfelt gratitude to Lou’s faithful and loving caregivers Aaron Jordan and Ronnie Todd as well as Miria Kyamulabi who also attended to Jeannette Morrison until her death.

A memorial service to celebrate Lou’s life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 11th in the Sanctuary of Highland Park United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation to the Highland Park Library, 4700 Drexel Drive, Highland Park, TX 75205 or to a charity of your choice.