Truman Atherton Morris

Truman Atherton Morris died on January 14, 2003. He was born August 31, 1917, to Joseph R. and Mary Whitaker Morris in Owensboro, Ky. He graduated from Winchester High School, earned an A.B. degree from Kentucky Wesleyan College in 1938 and a Masters degree from the University of Kentucky in 1940

This polished, kind and gentle man was married to his wife, Trudy for 65 years and enjoyed telling people they were college sweethearts whose first date was on Valentines Day.

He started his professional life teaching and coaching at Pleasureville, Utica, and Owensboro, Ky, high schools. He was also an instructor at the University of Kentucky, Ohio University and University of South Florida.

During his broadcasting career he was Vice President/Manager of WJEH, Gallipolis, Ohio
1950-1955: President/Manager. WBEX, Chillicothe, Ohio, 1955-1980; President/Manager, WHLL, Wheeling, W.Va, 1969-1972; President . WWAB, Lakeland,FL, 1964-1985. He was one of the few reporters allowed to witness the atomic bomb
testing, the NASA launches of Allen Sheppard and John Glenn and several national political conventions. He was proud to have been a life long Democrat.

His generous concern for others in his community led him to many public service endeavors: President, Junior Chamber of Commerce, Hunting, W.Va, 1949-1950; Board Member, Ohio Valley Improvement Association, 1952-1955; President, Rotary Club, Gallipolis, Ohio, 1953-1954; Board Member, Ohio Small Business Association, 1957-1960; Ohio Broadcasters Association, 1960-1965; Mutal Broadcasting System, Washington, D.C., 1970-1972; Mayor of Chillicothe, Ohio, 1960-1964; President and Lt Governor, Kiwanis Club, 1964-1966; Chairman, Lee County Florida Planning and Zoning, 1967-1986; Administrative Board, Cypress Lake United Methodist Church, 1988-1995;
District Board Methodist Church Extension, 1990-1995.

He was an avid golfer and enjoyed helping others improve thier games. But his greatest love was sailing, especially ocean racing. He sailed more than 100,000 miles -- 20,000 of them single-handedly, and won hundreds of trophies including some for races to Mexico and Jamaica. He taught scores of people to love the sea, the wind and nature, and will continue to do so through his endowment of the Leadership through Sailing Program at Kentucky Wesleyan College. In 1999 he served as Editorial Consultant for the publication
Complete Sailing Manual.

He loved good fellowship, competition, jokes, UK basketball, good bourbon, country cooking, blackberry jam and making new friends. His ambitious , competitive, generous, and fun loving spirit will be warmly remembered by the many people who were lucky enough to have known him.

He is survived by his wife Trudy, their daughter Cacia and son-in-law Rick Orser of Fort Myers; two nieces, Carolyn Sayers of Chillicoth, Ohio and Jodi Long of Venice, Florida; and his good friends and business associates, Helen and Ron Pierce of Fort Myers.

A memorial service will be held in the Chapel at Cypress Lake United Methodist Church on Thursday, January 16th at 4:30 p.m. A memorial service will also be held in Owensboro, Kentucky on Sunday, January 19th at 3:00 p.m. in Tapscott Chapel on the Kentucky Wesleyan College Campus. Internment will be at the Utica Baptist Church cemetery in Utica, Kentucky.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of dontations to the Sailing Program at Kentucky Wesleyan College, P.O. Box 1039, Owensboro, Ky 42302-1039.