Mr. Paul R. Morrison

Paul Robert Morrison passed away peacefully at the age of 99 on Friday, June 6, 2015. He was born November 1, 1915, at home in Merced, CA. His family moved to Fresno a year later, where he became a lifelong citizen. He was a much loved member of the community, as well as a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Paul was a student at Roeding Elementary, Hamilton Jr. High, and Fresno High School. At Fresno High, as a track athlete, he set a school record as a lead-off runner for the 440 yard relay. He also liked to say he could run the 100 yard dash in 10 seconds flat. He took classes in industrial arts, drafting and woodworking, which helped develop skills he used throughout his life. He graduated in 1933. He attended Fresno State for one month, but due to the Depression, had to leave to work for his father, who was a building contractor.

Paul met his beloved wife, Ellen, his senior year of high school, but did not ask for a first date for a few years. Ellen wrote in her diary that the two had many "swell" times together. They especially loved dancing, and Paul could cut a rug even in his later years. Paul and Ellen were married in 1936, and enjoyed 75 years of marriage, until her death in 2011. The ceremony took place at Bethel Lutheran Church; Paul credits the church and his faith for the success of his marriage. The couple raised two children, Bob and Bill. The family lived in a house Grandpa Morrison built for Paul across the street from his own home and the family gas station.

Paul worked for PG&E for 34 years, working his way to the position of Regional Physical Plant Manager. He also drafted architectural plans as a sideline. His son says he was a gifted draftsman. After retiring from PG&E he started a practice designing dairy barns.

Paul was a Master Mason and belonged to the Las Palmas-Ponderosa Lodge No. 366 in Fresno. He was an active and important member of Bethel Lutheran Church. For years he prepared the weekly Men's Breakfast. Additionally, he was on the Board of Directors for Bethel Home in Selma, CA and he was President of the PG&E Credit Union in Fresno. Because Ellen and the couple's social circle were mostly Danish, Paul became an adopted Dane and joined the Danish Society Grand Lodge Dania and Dannebrog of Fresno.

An all-around handyman who enjoyed being productive, Paul enjoyed standing back and looking with pride at projects he had done. He liked to garden as well. His son Bob also ran track for Fresno High, and says that even at his fastest his father Paul could still beat him across the street to visit Grandma Morrison. Paul loved his weekly coffee meetings with his friends at Foster's Freeze, meetings which he continued to enjoy until just a few days before his death.

Paul joins his wife, Ellen; his son, Bill; his grandson, David; as well as his parents and friends.

His son, Bob; grandchildren, Jens, Paul, Lindsay, JenniferAnne, and Roderick; and great-grandchildren, Ansel, Nora, Tyce, and Kai; survive him, and hold his memory dear.

The Graveside Service will be held at Fresno Memorial Gardens on Friday, June 12, 2015 at 11:00 a.m.

A Memorial Service will be held at Bethel Lutheran Church, 187 N. Broadway, Fresno on Friday, June 12, 2015 at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that remembrances be made to Bethel Lutheran Church.