Cemetery Photo

Adair County, Oklahoma

© by: Annajo Cantrell-Limore

Bruce Jack Morris

© The Stilwell Democrat Journal

March 2009

Submitted by: Martha Real

Bruce Jack Morris
November 18, 1921 - March 25, 2009

On Friday, November 18, 1921, the world was blessed by the birth of Bruce Morris. He was born to Jeff and Isabelle Blake Morris on the family farm in Chewey, Oklahoma. Bruce attended school until the 3rd grade at Taylor school house.

Bruce started shoeing horses at the age of 14, and he was the original cowboy. After CC camp, he went to work on the Skelly Ranch. He went to work on the Kimble Ranch in Yates Center, Kansas in the early 1940’s, and cowboyed there for 13 years. While in Kansas, Bruce also worked for Boeing Aircraft, where he worked for 10 years. His eldest daughter, Lynda Kay was born in Prairie Grove on October 6, 1946. Bruce took great delight in taking Lynda to Wichita once a week for shopping, where he would make a trip to the dime store.
Bruce met his wife of 52 years at a dance in Ft. Gibson, Oklahoma. He married Patsy Marie Girdner on October 9, 1956, in Tahlequah.
They, along with Pat’s son Ronnie, made their home in Wichita. They welcomed their beloved daughter Brenda Faye to the family on July 14, 1958. Bruce absolutely loved his little family, and worked hard to support them.
The biggest and best surprise of Bruce’s life came when his only son, Jeffrey Bruce was born on November 28, 1961. Bruce loved all of his children, but he had a special bond with Jeff, who he affectionately called, “Jeffy Boy.” As Jeff grew up, he went everywhere with his daddy. As many have put it, they were “two peas in a pod.”
Bruce and Pat moved back to the Westville area when Jeff was 8 months old. They lived in the Oak Hill Community north of Westville since 1962. Bruce worked two jobs and farmed to support his family. He worked for Adair County District 3 on the road crew for many years. He also worked for Akin Lumber until it burned. He went to work at Franklin Electric in Siloam Springs and retired from there in 1986.
During this time, he continued to shoe horses in northwest Arkansas and northeast Oklahoma. To pay doctor bills for his family, he exchanged horseshoeing for medical care, and did this for many years until the bills were paid in full.

Bruce loved everyone, and everyone loved Bruce. He was a strong, hardworking man, who taught this characteristic to his children and grandchildren. When he wasn’t working, he loved to play music, and was especially fond of his 1950’s Gibson guitar.
But his real past-time was taking care of his horses. His favorite horse was Ol’ Jim. He won 1st place at Adair County Quarter Horse show with Ol’ Jim in 1964. Ol’ Jim was so important to Bruce that he later named his walker Ol’ Jim in honor of his horse.
His love of horses prompted Bruce to teach his kids to ride. Before she was old enough to ride on her own. Bruce would put Brendy on the horse in front of him, and take off on a trail ride around the loop.
Family was also important to Bruce. He always asked how they were. He taught his granddaughters to count by hauling them around the pasture in his old pickup truck counting the cows. He made sure that all of the grandkids were on the school bus every morning, and watched for it every evening to make sure they all returned home safely.
Bruce took his granddaughter Mandy and his other grandkids for rides in his old pickup truck down to the ten acres. When they returned to the house, he would always try to feed them. They grew up on ice cream and popsicles.
His granddaughter Tandy was instrumental in getting Bruce to attend church. At the age of 67, Bruce have his heart to the Lord, and was baptized at Watts First Baptist Church on July 2, 1995.

Bruce was a die-hard Democrat, and campaigned diligently when Jeff ran for county commissioner. He was especially proud of watching Jeff take the oath of office.
When his health began to fail, he went to stay at the Quail Ridge Nursing Home in West Siloam Springs. While there, he became the most popular resident and he called his nurses and aids “Baby”. He called his room his “little house”, and he kept meticulously clean. He was surrounded by his loved ones in his little house as he journeyed to Heaven.

Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, Jeff and Isabelle; his brothers, Alvis, Jess, Bert, and an infant brother, Elmer; and his sister, Ina Flippo.

His legacy of love is continued by his wife, Pat of the home; his daughter and son-in-law, Lynda and Tim Krog and their 7 children and 14 great grandchildren, of Draper, Utah; his daughter, Brenda Blackwood, granddaughter, Amanda French, and great grandson, Chance of Tahlequah, OK; his son, Jeff and daughter-in-law, Elsie and their children, Justin and Rachel Tye, and Tandra Morris, of Westville; stepson, Ronnie and wife, Poppy Lasley and family of Westville; brothers, J.B. Morris of Chewey, Dennis and Gertrude Morris of Proctor and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 28, 2009, at Hart Memorial Chapel in Westville with Bro. Jim Beavers officiating.
Interment will follow at New Hope Cemetery under the direction of Hart Funeral Home.