Richard Lee Morris

Richard Lee Morris

1946-2024

Richard Lee Morris passed away peacefully in his sleep early on the morning of October 21, 2024 at his home in Fresno, California. He was born on March 23, 1946 in Los Angeles, California, the only child of Albert Morris and Lillian Walpin. He was 78 years old.

As a young boy growing up in Southern California, Richard displayed a talent and passion for team sports and for baseball in particular. His abilities did not go unnoticed as he played throughout elementary and high school, and, upon high school graduation, was offered a full baseball scholarship to the University of California at Los Angeles. At UCLA he played the position of catcher for the team and majored in Physical Education. Believing he would likely have a career as a coach, Richard’s plans were interrupted upon college graduation in 1966. The military draft was active and the War in Vietnam was full throttle.

Rather than serving in the U.S. Army for two years, Richard opted to enlist in the Air Force for four years. He was stationed at an Air Force base in Opheim, Montana, when he was told he would be deployed to the combat zone in Viet Nam from August 1967 until August 1968. His assignment there was that of a Forward Air Controller, and he piloted a Cessna 0-1 Bird Dog, the original FAC aircraft, a slow, unarmored two-seater. His job was to spot enemy encampments and movements as well as locate American troops for rescue. His missions were dangerous, one of which earned him his first Purple Heart. Richard also was awarded a Bronze Star for his actions on the ground during the TET Offensive in early 1968 when his unit was overrun by Viet Cong. Shortly after returning to the States in 1968, Richard was given orders to return to Vietnam for a second tour of duty, this time from February 1969 until February 1970. During this second tour, he was stationed around the Central Highlands of Vietnam.

Richard often recalled that his Vietnam experience changed his perception on life and steered him on a different path. Shortly after returning to civilian life, he went to work for the Veterans Administration counseling other Vietnam veterans. While working as a bartender in the evenings, he returned to school and earned a Master of Arts in Political Science, a law degree, and went on to become a lawyer.

Richard’s law career spanned nearly four decades, thirty years of which was with Mullen and Filippi, a statewide law firm. Not long after practicing there, Richard became a senior managing partner. Although practicing law was the focus of his career, Richard still made time to coach Little League Baseball and referee basketball and football games for high schools and community college.

While managing the Fresno office of Mullen and Filippi, Richard met his wife Janet Lehman Morris. Together they shared happy years and both enjoyed traveling, especially on cruise ships. Hawaii, Caribbean Islands, and Mexico were among their favorite vacation destinations.

Shortly after retiring from the legal profession in 2015, Richard and Janet, along with their two small dogs, Hope and Rascal, moved to San Antonio, Texas. As with everywhere he went, Richard made friends easily. He belonged to several clubs and was on the Board of Directors for the Leon Springs Fire Department.

As his health issues became more and more challenging, Richard and Janet decided to move back to Fresno in 2020 to be closer to family. He became a member of the Fresno Elks Lodge where he served as Presiding Judge. Richard is survived by his wife Janet, daughter Carrie Barnes, son-in-law Alex Barnes and four-year-old grandson Ryder James Barnes. Richard is, and will continue to be, greatly missed. He was loved by all those who had the good fortune of knowing him well.

As he requested, Richard will be buried with military honors at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Santa Nella, California. His family requests that any donations made in his memory be given to Disabled American Veterans.