John Joseph Morris

A Memorial Service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Columbus, Indiana at a later date when his friends and family can pay their respects.

John was born April 3, 1935 in Bedford, Indiana. After graduating from Shawswick High School he attended Hanover College from 1953-1957 where he excelled in basketball and track. He is among the top scorers in the history of Hanover basketball and held school records in the shot put and discus. In 2000 “Big John” was inducted to the Hanover College Athletic Hall of Fame. After leaving Hanover he taught and coached at Shawswick High School in Bedford, Indiana. He served his country in both the US Army and the US Air Force. After his military service he worked 10 years in the sporting goods business.

Most of his professional career was spent in the insurance business in Columbus, Indiana. After semi retiring from the insurance business in 1988, he became the assistant manager at the Columbus Inn until he retired in April of 2000. While working at the Columbus Inn he built and ran a successful personal chauffeuring business until he moved to Leawood, Kansas in October of 2003.

John was preceded in death by his parents Lloyd & Mary J. Morris, three brothers, William, Lloyd, and James, two sisters, Mary L. Egbert and Helen E. Baker, his former wife JoAnn K. Morris.

He is survived by longtime companion Cheryl Holtz, a son Jeff (Remy) of Columbus, Indiana, two daughters, Kim Morris of Georgetown, South Carolina, Kelley Morris-Adair (Donny) of Indianapolis, Indiana. Two grandchildren, Lauren & Jacob Morris of Columbus, Indiana and three great-grandchildren, Kai, Kooper and Aerith.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions to the American Heart Association and St. Luke’s Hospice House.