1941
Thomas
2023
Thomas Ray Morris
December 3, 1941 — March 28, 2023
Lt. Colonel (Retired) Thomas Ray Morris, age 81, passed away on March 28, 2023, at his residence. Born on December 3, 1941, in Bolivar, TN, he was the son of the late Hubert Wilson and Winnie Dora McKinnie Morris. After high school, he attended Memphis State University.
Proudly serving with the TN Army National Guard, he retired after 26 years with the rank of Lt. Colonel. Thomas Ray spent two years in active duty, one of those years in Vietnam. As a Vietnam Veteran, he was a decorated army veteran receiving the Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service with 2 Silver Stars, Combat Infantry Badge, Army Overseas Service Bar, Overseas Vietnam Service Bar, Armed Service Reserve Medal awarded twice, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Military Medal, TN National Guard Service Ribbon with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, TN National Guard Volunteer Ribbon, TN National Guard Commendation Ribbon with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, TN National Guard Volunteer Recruiting & Retention Unit Citation, along with other commendations.
Serving the community, he worked 6 years in law enforcement with the TN Highway Patrol and in Paris, TN. He was the General Sessions Judge in Hardeman County from 1968 until 1992 and served as President of the General Sessions Judge’s Conference. Hunting and fishing were hobbies he enjoyed.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, David “Bud” Morris and Frank Morris, and sisters, Frances Dillard, and Sue Sullivan.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Mitzi Morris; son, Matthew Morris (Amy); brother, Bobby Joe Morris, and many nieces and nephews, as well as loving friends, Chip Carey, Gerald McNeil, and Brenda McNeil.
SERVICE: The Graveside Service for Thomas Ray will be held on Friday, March 31, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. in the Chapel of the West TN State Veterans Cemetery at Parkers Crossroads, with full military honors.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be directed to the Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS, or online at www.woundedwarriorproject.org , or perform one act of kindness in Thomas Ray’s honor.
Arrington Funeral Directors 148 W. University Parkway Jackson, TN 38305, 731-668-1111,, www.arringtonfuneralgroup.com
Proudly serving with the TN Army National Guard, he retired after 26 years with the rank of Lt. Colonel. Thomas Ray spent two years in active duty, one of those years in Vietnam. As a Vietnam Veteran, he was a decorated army veteran receiving the Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service with 2 Silver Stars, Combat Infantry Badge, Army Overseas Service Bar, Overseas Vietnam Service Bar, Armed Service Reserve Medal awarded twice, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Military Medal, TN National Guard Service Ribbon with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, TN National Guard Volunteer Ribbon, TN National Guard Commendation Ribbon with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, TN National Guard Volunteer Recruiting & Retention Unit Citation, along with other commendations.
Serving the community, he worked 6 years in law enforcement with the TN Highway Patrol and in Paris, TN. He was the General Sessions Judge in Hardeman County from 1968 until 1992 and served as President of the General Sessions Judge’s Conference. Hunting and fishing were hobbies he enjoyed.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, David “Bud” Morris and Frank Morris, and sisters, Frances Dillard, and Sue Sullivan.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Mitzi Morris; son, Matthew Morris (Amy); brother, Bobby Joe Morris, and many nieces and nephews, as well as loving friends, Chip Carey, Gerald McNeil, and Brenda McNeil.
SERVICE: The Graveside Service for Thomas Ray will be held on Friday, March 31, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. in the Chapel of the West TN State Veterans Cemetery at Parkers Crossroads, with full military honors.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be directed to the Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS, or online at www.woundedwarriorproject.org , or perform one act of kindness in Thomas Ray’s honor.
Arrington Funeral Directors 148 W. University Parkway Jackson, TN 38305, 731-668-1111,, www.arringtonfuneralgroup.com
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Thomas Ray Morris, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Graveside Service
Friday, March 31, 2023
Starts at 1:30 pm (Central time)
West Tennessee Veteran Cemetery at Parkers Crossroads
Burial
West Tennessee Veteran Cemetery at Parkers Crossroads
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