John "Jack" E. Morris

John “Jack” Morris, age 83 of Glenwood, died peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, November 10, 2018 at the St. Cloud Hospital. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, November 17, 2018 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Glenwood with Father Joe Vandeberg officiating. Visitation will be Friday, November 16th from 5:00-7:00 p.m. with parish prayers at 7:00 p.m. at the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday, along with the recitation of the Rosary by the Knights of Columbus beginning at 10:00 a.m.. Interment will be in the Calvary Cemetery in Glenwood.  Arrangements are with the Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home in Glenwood.

John “Jack” E. Morris the son of George and Mary Morris. He grew up in Shieldsville, Minnesota, graduating from Montgomery High School. He played football and baseball and excelled in FFA and 4-H. Years as a successful Golden Gloves boxer in the Faribault-area earned him the nickname, “Kilkenny Jack.”

After serving in the United States Army, Jack graduated from the University of Minnesota. While there, he studied animal science and agriculture and joined Alpha Gamma Rho. He also won the heart of his wife, Doris (Dorrie) – undoubtedly the crowning achievement of his college years. They were married 58 years.

Driven by his life’s mission to help people, Jack taught vocational agriculture one year and then became a University of Minnesota Extension Agent, briefly in Swift County followed by 31 years in Pope County. Jack was well known for his dedication to local farmers, local businesses and 4-H youth development. He was particularly proud of his work with livestock judging teams (two of which won national contests); his induction into the University’s Livestock Hall of Fame; and the creation of the John “Jack” Morris 4-H Livestock Judging Endowment. Many of the youth he coached went on to pursue prestigious careers in agriculture, animal science and business.

Jack loved to work, and upon his retirement from Extension, he secured a job in the produce department at the local grocery store. An avid gardener, he turned his own garden into a zucchini, pumpkin and potato operation which supplied many a local patron. Meanwhile, Jack enjoyed serving on the board of the Bonanza Valley State Bank, volunteering as a befriender for Sacred Heart Catholic Church, being a Weather Observer for the National Weather Service, collecting Red Wing pottery, following the Minnesota Twins and Gophers, investing and antiquing.

Regardless of the circumstances under which you met Jack, you would remember his humility, sense of humor, and most of all, his firm handshake, his genuine interest in you, and ability to make you feel welcome and included. Many have called Jack “the kindest man they know.”

More than anything, Jack cherished time with his family. He never missed a family fishing vacation, and if he couldn’t attend a child or grandchild’s 4-H livestock show, sporting event or concert, he would place a call afterwards to get results or a recap.

Jack will be forever missed by his loving wife, Dorrie; his children, Michelle Odigie of Chicago, Chris (Steve) Boerner of Watertown, Kathleen Morris of Chicago, Patrick Morris of St. Paul, Liz (Kevin) Otto Delano; and grandchildren, Casey and Jay Boerner, Sabrina and Bonita Odigie, Charlie, Eileen, John and Kate Otto; his sister, Shirley Dingmann of Prior Lake; and numerous beloved relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Mary, his brother and sister-in-law, Kenneth and Verlie Morris; his nephew, Randy Morris; his son-in-law, Raymond Odigie; and his brother-in-law Dave Dingmann.

If you wish to support Jack's legacy with a donation the John “Jack” Morris 4-H Livestock Judging Endowment, follow this link https://z.umn.edu/3vto or send it to Jack Morris 4-H Livestock Judging Fund, University of Minnesota Foundation, P.O. Box 860266, Minneapolis, MN 55486-0266.

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