Donald R. Morley of Tucson, Arizona went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, May 10, 2022. He was 80 years old. Born in Eudora, Kansas on August 3, 1941, Don was the eldest son of the late Harold and Lela Votaw Morley.
Don graduated from Eudora High School in 1959 and attended Central Pilgrim College (now Oklahoma Wesleyan University) until 1963. He married Rebecca Jean O’Neil on November 2, 1963 and together they raised six children along with numerous foster children.
Don was a meat cutter by trade and worked for Lucky and ABCO grocery stores until his retirement. Don raised and showed angora rabbits for many years and cared for a menagerie of animals including rabbits, ducks, geese, chickens, dogs, cats, and fish. He enjoyed classic country music, singing with the worship team at church, rooting for the Kansas City Chiefs, and pitching for adult slow-pitch softball well into his sixties.
Don was very creative, making and selling his crafts of god’s eyes, kachina dolls, and macrame owls. He was always dreaming of what could be and had a penchant for collecting a wide assortment of paraphernalia for future use. He loved cars, especially his model A, 1958 Corvette convertible, and most recently his Ford Mustang. Above all, Don loved his family and enjoyed camping trips to Mount Lemmon, coaching little league baseball, playing all sorts of table and video games, and successfully winning dozens of stuffed animals for his kids and grandkids.
Don is survived by his wife of 58 years, Rebecca Morley; his children Douglas Morley (Karen) of Greensboro, MD; Vicki (Michael) McVay of Tucson, AZ; James Morley of Florence, AZ; Sheila (Todd) Mahoney of Tucson, AZ; and Jonathan Morley of Tucson, AZ. Twelve grandchildren including Matthew (Sasha) McVay, Danelle Smock, Zachery (Erika) McVay, Drewcilla (Jesse) Bush, Nicholas McVay, Dominique (Cody) Stewart, Delilah Smock, Melissa McVay, Amber McVay, Denise (Gus) Salcido, Ryan Morley, and Andrew Morley. And five great grandchildren with one on the way. Don is also survived by his brother, Robert (Isla) Morley of Covina, CA; his brother-in-law Daryl (Pam) O’Neil of Prescott, AZ; sister-in-law Bonnie (Wayne) Evans of Peoria, AZ; and son-in-law Douglas (Kathy) Smock of Tucson, AZ.
Besides his parents, Don was preceded in death by his daughter, Dondee Smock.
Don passed away peacefully at Peppi’s House Hospice in Tucson, AZ following a series of health episodes.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made via https://www.facebook.com/donate/525759145683683/?fundraiser_source=messages to assist with funeral costs. A memorial service will be held later with details forthcoming.
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