Richard Elbert Morris III, of Devine, Texas, passed away on February 22, 2024, in San Antonio, Tx at the age of 76. He was born in Pearsall, Tx on Nov. 1, 1947, to Richard Elbert Morris III and Verma Irene Parkis Morris.
Richard married Edith Mae Clark in 1973 and was father to two sons, Richard B. Morris, and Christopher Morris. He and Edith celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2023.
Richard attended school in Natalia, Texas followed by electronics training at the Elkins Institute and worked many years in the field of electronics. He started out repairing TVs and radios and graduated up to CB radio repairs for diesel trucks. Richard was self-taught in computer repairs, which later became his livelihood to support his family after a severe back injury side-lined him from the work of filming surgeries at the School of Aerospace Medicine at Brooks Air Force Base in San Antonio. He also had served as a supervisor at Long & Associates Test Fleet and worked for Gooding Oil in Hondo, Tx. Richard lived most of his life in Devine, Tx and worked hard, often daylight to dark, to make a living for his family.
A large aspect of Richard Morris’ life was serving as a volunteer in the Boy Scouts of America. His first experience of scouting began as a young Cub Scout in Natalia, but in his adult life, Richard was active in Scouting in Natalia and Lytle, but mostly Devine, for over 40 years! He was instrumental in the continuance of scouting in these towns at times when there were no other leaders available. His first leadership position was of Scoutmaster of Troop 197 in Devine when his boys were too little, even for Cub Scouts, but he stepped up to help, and thus began his Scouting career. As his sons, Richard “RB” and Chris began as scouts, they became a Scouting Family, with Edith serving also, as a Den Mother and in other leadership positions as well.
Richard served in numerous positions at the local troop and district levels in scouting including Scoutmaster, Assistant SM, Unit Commissioner, Round Table Commissioner, District Training Commissioner, and Eagle Board Chairman, among others. Some of his scouting awards included the Silver Beaver in 2022, Longhorn District Award, and the District Award of Merit.
A highlight of Scouting for Richard was being a member of the Order of the Arrow (OA), the Honor Society for the Boy Scouts of America, and especially being a Vigil Honor member, which is the highest level in OA. He also served as an OA Ceremonies Advisor, Chapter Advisor of OA Youth Leaders, and Vigil Advisor.
Richard’s favorite BSA camp was Bear Creek, near Hunt, Tx. where he and his son, Chris, spent many weeks during the summers serving as Merit Badge Counselors, and other numerous leadership positions for the scouts. His wife, Edith, said that he had the “patience of Job” when working with the Boy Scouts, but it was a labor of love for Richard, especially when it came to his own sons making Eagle Scouts. Special scouting memories that Richard was proud of included when Chris was awarded Eagle Scout and when his boys were called out for OA. The many years of scouting was a great deal of work, but it gave much joy to Richard to be able to help our young men to learn the skills of scouting, and to help the troop leaders in teaching them. Richard made many, many friends in scouting and his leadership will be greatly missed.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, son Richard Benjamin “RB” Morris, and brother Gene Morris.
He is survived by his wife, Edith Morris, son Chris Morris, sister Geraldine Morris Vanheuverswyn, and several nieces and nephews.
Richard was a loving and devoted husband and father, dedicated Scout leader, and good friend to many. He will be dearly missed.
*A Memorial Service will be held for Richard E. Morris III on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at 11:00am at the First Baptist Church in Devine, Texas.