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Richard Lee Morrison

December 13, 1957 - February 9, 2020
Grand Rapids, MI

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Visitation

Friday, February 14, 2020
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM EST
Grand Rapids First Church
2100 44th St. SW
Wyoming, MI 49519
Map

Service

Friday, February 14, 2020
11:00 AM EST
Grand Rapids First Church
2100 44th St. SW
Wyoming, MI 49519
Map
Web Site

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Figi Jezi Ministries
5661 Haughey Ave. SW
Wyoming, MI 49548
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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Richard Morrison was a hard-working provider for the family he loved. He had a sincere passion for giving his personal best to whatever he set his mind on doing and lived each and every day to the fullest. With so many wonderful memories over the years, Richard felt blessed as a husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend to many. Gone too soon, there is no doubt that he will be greatly missed by his loving family and many special friends.

The year 1957 was where Richard’s story began. It was a period of time marked by the many talents of professional sports figures, musicians, and movie stars such as Mickey Mantle, Elvis Presley, and James Dean. Families still huddled around television sets to catch the latest westerns such as Gunsmoke or anything featuring Lucille Ball. On December 13th in Hayti, Missouri proud parents, James Richard and Alice Louise (Jones) Morrison welcomed home their baby boy, Richard Lee. Born the youngest of four children, he brought much joy and happiness to the family home.

Richard lived an active childhood. He loved to spend time outdoors fishing on the river, and helping his dad run a moonshine still. He found great solace any time he was independent doing the things he loved. Sadly, he lost his mother at the tender age of six years old and later his father by the time he was thirteen resulting in him living with his older sister, Barbara. She supported him throughout his growing years. Richard set off to find work at the young age age of sixteen and became part of a dredge boat crew on the Mississippi River.

By the age of seventeen, his life would change forever by the meeting of Wanda Lynne Pride, who would steal his heart forever! He picked her and another girlfriend of hers up on the side of the road while they were hitchhiking and the rest was history! Sharing many common interests, the two of them hit it off right from the start and began dating. Their first date was to the movies. Romantically interested in one another, wedding plans began for their small family ceremony on August 11, 1976. Once they were married, they moved in with his sister, Lottie Jo and started a life of their very own. Together they raised three wonderful children; Richard, Christina, and Amanda.

By the year 1979, the young family was living in the Grand Rapids area where Richard was successful as a roofer and later on as a carpet layer. After moving around the city they finally settled into their dream home on a small five-acre farm on McCabe Avenue in Ada where they raised pigs, chickens, horses, and their goat, “Billy the Goat.” During their early years as a family, they enjoyed vacationing to many popular campgrounds throughout the beautiful state of Michigan. After enduring a near fatal fall at work with several months of extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation, they left the farm and found a home on Crockery Lake where they continued to make the best of memories together having cook-outs, boating, swimming, and tubing! As long as his family was together, Richard’s heart was content. The family had many pets over the years and he was especially close to his dogs: PJ, Goliath, and JuJu "the jerk" were the best of companions. Richard was grateful to have been blessed with his family as they were his greatest treasure.

Richard was a man of simple pleasures. He was a master in the kitchen and loved to cook as well as grill. He especially loved to fry fish and cook ribs, pork shoulder, turkey, and ham. Over the years, he roasted countless pigs and enjoyed time with his family and friends. He also had quite a sweet tooth and enjoyed baking cakes as well as cookies. He had perfected his recipes over the years and would often offer samples to neighbors or friends stopping by. When it came to music, country was his favorite! For relaxation, he watched old westerns on television as well as wrestling matches! Above all else, he enjoyed time with the ones he loved, especially his grandchildren. There simply wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for each and every one of them. He loved to share his stories as well as his opinions and when it came to discussing politics, he was an open book! Richard had strong values as well as many life lessons that guided him throughout his life. He was never hesitant in sharing the troubles as well as the joy he learned in life's lessons. Richard set a wonderful example for his children and their children to always put forth your best effort and be thankful for the many blessings life offered. he has always been quick to take care of others and most recently, he cherished the opportunity to accept a new adopted daughter, Dominque Carter, into his ever growing family. Sadly, he suffered a severe stroke just a few weeks after his diagnosis with lung cancer and passed away. Dedicated as well as respected by the community he loved, there is no doubt that he will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered for generations to come.

Richard Lee Morrison, aged 62, of Grand Rapids, Michigan went to be with his Lord on Sunday, February 9, 2020. He was the son of the late, James and Alice Morrison. He was also preceded in death by his brother, James Paul Morrison and his sister, Barbara (Dipper) Johnson. He is survived by his wife, Wanda Morrison (Pride); children, Richard (Stephanie) Morrison, Christina (Kalahara) Bailey, Amanda (Telsaint) Morisset, and Dominque Carter; grandchildren, Matthew, Emily, Christian, Eric, Kalahara Jr., Danny, Tynika, Omar, Davon, Chase, Annacil, Telsone, Jessie and Jajuan; 10 great-grandchildren; sister, Lottie Jo (Randall) Mealer; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Phyllis Hubscher, Markie Corlew Jr., John Corlew, and Carrie Brown; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Richard worked as a roofer and carpet layer all his life. He was a loving and dedicated husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle and friend to all who knew him. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered. A service to celebrate Richard’s life will be held on Friday, February 14, at 11:00 am, at Grand Rapids First Church, 2100 44th St SW, Wyoming, MI 49519, Visitation on Friday at the church from 10:00 am until 11:00 am. Contributions in Richard’s memory may be made to Figi Jezi Ministries, 5661 Haughey Ave. SW, Wyoming, MI 49548. To sign his guest book and to leave your own memory of him, visit his web page at www.heritagelifestory.com

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