Gary Charles Morrison

Born in Elgin, Illinois, on September, 9, 1946, Gary graduated from Dundee High School in 1964 and attended Northern Illinois University at Dekalb for one year. He worked his way through school by giving public tours through the Haegar Pottery shop during the summer. It was while at Haegar Pottery that Gary learned the skill of public speaking which he would use throughout his life.

He continued his education at the University of Minnesota and graduated with a degree in mathematics in 1968 and simultaneously married his best friend and wife Cheryl. After years of continuing education, Gary became an Associate of the Society of Actuaries, a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries and an Enrolled Actuary under ERISA.

Gary started his actuarial career with Northwestern National Life Insurance Company in Minnesota. Three years later he accepted a consulting position with William M Mercer Inc. During this time they had two children, son Craig and daughter Anne. In 1984, he was transferred to Seattle, WA where he moved with his family. He retired with Mercer in 1994.

Upon retirement, Gary’s passions turned to the stock market, photography, world travel and fly-fishing. Even though color-blind, Gary could see things in nature that others could not, and several of his photographs were prize-winning. His travel destinations with wife, Cheryl and loyal travel companions, Gordy and Kathy Kill, included New Zealand, Australia, France, Italy and China among some of the highlights. And as a twenty-nine year member of the Skitchine Lodge in B.C. Canada, it was here that Gary said, "The only real fishing is fly-fishing."

Gary is survived by devoted wife of forty-six years, Cheryl, son Craig, daughter Anne, brothers Alan Morrison, Scott Morrison, nieces Carrie Morrison, Andrea O’Brien, Jennifer Power, Nicole Power and nephews James Power and Corey Power.

Preceded in death by his parents, Claire and Arlene Morrison of West Des Moines, IA.

A memorial service will be held at Sunset Hills on November 17 at one p.m. in Bellevue, WA. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Ducks Unlimited www.ducks.org or Trout unlimited www.tu.org