Paul H Morris

Paul H. Morris, 86, of Jacksonville, passed away on Saturday, August 1, 2020 at Jacksonville Skilled Nursing Home.

He was born on February 23, 1934, in Carmel, Indiana, to Myron and Ruth (Hensel) Morris. Paul married Lillian Lovett and they had 4 children. He later went on to marry Marcy Nolan and she had two children previously.

He attended Carmel High School and was Athlete of the Year during his Senior Year. He played basketball, football, and track. As a young man he lived on an Indian Reserveration where he rode horses. This lead to his competitive riding for C.V. Whitney.

Paul will be remembered as a motivated man who began as a custodian at North Central High School in Indianapolis and climbed the ranks to become Director and Vice President at various prestigious colleges. In 1964 he and his family moved to Cocoa Beach, Florida, where he worked directly with the NASA Space Program in launching the Gemini and Apollo rockets, under PanAm Airlines, earning the position of the highest ranking civilian employee.

He enjoyed sports, and introduced his three sons to baseball and football. He was President of the Cocoa Beach Little League Association and also coached teams when his boys were older.

Paul worked as Physical Plant Director, Assistant Director, and Vice President at University of Wisconsin-Parkside, University of Florida, University of Colorado, and William Mary University. He later worked at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, where he met Marcy Nolan, whom he married and had many happy years together.

Paul loved animals and majestic Shire Horses, which he showed in many shows and cart classes in Colorado, and the Eastern US. One of his Shires, King William Gronnet was born in England and won Grand Champion many times.

He is survived by his wife, Marcy Nolan-Morris, children, Lucinda Tagliareni of Pagosa Springs, CO., David Morris of Gainesville, FL., Andrew Morris of Colorado Springs, CO. and John Morris of Evansville, IN., in addition to 8 grandchildren, one great grandson;  brother, John Morris of Dayton, OH., and two stepchildren Larry Nolan of Bloomington, IL., and Cherri Nolan Price of Divernon, IL.

He’ll be remembered as a sensitive man who loved his family and animals, would help anyone in need and will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 6, 2020 at Wilson Park Funeral Home, 200 East Main Street, Rochester, IL. from 10:00am until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 with Ed Meister officiating.

Burial will follow at Modesto Cemetery in Modesto.

Wilson Park Funeral Home, 200 E. Main Street, in Rochester is in charge of arrangements.

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