James Alfred Morton III

On Friday, January 6, 2023, James (Jim) Alfred Morton III, loving father of three children, passed away at the age 67. Jim was born on January 18, 1955, in Galesburg, IL, to James Alfred Morton Jr. and Margaret Morton. He was raised in Peoria, Illinois.

As a child, he had a love for helping his grandfather on his farm in Farmington, Illinois. Jim also loved playing the trumpet with his best friends in the band, The Bummers, where he was known as “Big Mouth Morton.” He attended Peoria High School. He was a talented athlete who loved playing sports. Jim lettered in Football, Baseball, Basketball and Swimming.

On May 14, 1977, he married his former wife, Betty (BJ) June Morton. They raised two daughters, Jamie and Cheri and one son, Matthew James. Jim loved all sports, especially college football. His favorite team was the University of South Carolina Gamecocks. He worked for State Farm Insurance for 26 years before retiring in 2018. Jim was also an avid reader. He spent his free time reading, watching sports, fishing, and enjoyed spending quality time with his grandchildren. They also share his passion for playing sports. Jim was known for his love for the Lord, collection of books and his versed knowledge of all things.

Jim is survived by his three children, Jamie, Cheri and Matthew; seven grandchildren, Parker, Hartley, Brinley, Christian, Sarah, Addi, and Dalton; mother, Margaret (Eagleson) Morton; brother, Bill Morton; sisters, Debbie Morrow and Diane Riggs and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 13th, 2023 at H.M. Patterson & Son – Canton Hill Chapel Funeral Home located at 1157 Old Canton Rd, Marietta, Georgia at three o’clock in the afternoon.

A reception will be held immediately after the service for family and friends at the home of Chris and Jamie Dastou.

In Lieu of flowers, the family request donations be given to the Jim Morton Scholarship Fund which will grant deserving student – athletes from Jim's Alma Mater, Peoria High School, who exhibits the traits of leadership, integrity and determination.

Please visit https://www.spotfund.com/story/3c453d17-8956-48f4-b5a7-209d8ba819a1?SFID=JimMortonScholarshipFund

HM Patterson and Son Canton Hill Chapel is honored to serve the Morton family during this difficult time.