Gary W. Morrison

04/18/1945

05/13/2013

FACTS

Born: April 18, 1945
Death: May 13, 2013

Gary W. Morrison, age 68 of Grand Rapids, went to be with his Lord and Savior on May 13, 2013 after a courageous battle with cancer. Gary was born in Portland, Maine to Wilfred and Phyllis Morrison who preceded him in death. He will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by his wife, Linda; daughters, Caroline (Mark) Weymouth and Jennifer Morrison, both of Jenison; step-sons Christopher (Stela) VanderKuyl of Berwyn, IL and Shayne VanderKuyl of Lake Balboa, CA; step-daughter Kelly (Daniel) Diaz-Luong of Lindenhurst, IL; and four grandchildren, Trenton, Veronica, Daelin, and Landen. Gary is also survived by a sister, Elaine (Richard) Fitch of Nottingham, NH; and brothers, Wilfred (Norma) Morrison of Farmington, NH, Donald (Deborah) Morrison of Chandler, AZ, Terence (Nancy) Morrison of Goffstown, NH, Thomas Morrison of Rye, NH, and Dennis Morrison of Hillsborough, NH. Gary graduated from Portsmouth High School, NH and he served in the US Navy after graduating from high school. Gary received both his Bachelors and Masters degrees from Grand Valley State University. He worked for Michigan Bell/Ameritech for 21 years and was a free lance journalist and photographer for the Grand Rapids Press for 10 years prior to retirement. Gary was a man of many talents and interests. He loved and celebrated life; loved people and could strike up a conversation with anyone. Gary and his wife loved to swing dance and were affectionately referred to as “the dancers”. Gary was a member of the American Drug Free Power Lifting Federation and won 13 World Championships in his age and weight class. He was very patriotic and wrote and performed a one man play based on the dispatches of World War II correspondent Ernie Pyle which he performed across the United States and England. Gary enjoyed French language and culture and served on the board of the Alliance Françoise de Grand Rapids. He thoroughly enjoyed travelling and maintained friendships in Europe for decades. Gary leaves behind many dear friends in the United States and Europe. Funeral Service will be held Saturday 11:00 a.m. at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 5125 Cascade Road. Rev. Robert Appold officiating. Interment Cascade Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday 6-8:00 p.m., Friday 2-4:00 and 6-8:00 p.m. at O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Chapel, 3980 Cascade Road, Grand Rapids, and one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Bethany Christian Services, The Alliance Françoise de Grand Rapids Scholarship Fund or Faith Hospice.

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