Richard "Dick" Lyle Morris, BHS 1944

Richard "Dick" Lyle Morris, BHS 1944

Sun Post News: Orange County Register weekly (San Clemente, CA) - Thursday, December 4, 2008

Richard "Dick" Lyle Morris, born Sept. 30, 1926, in Sioux City, Iowa, entered into eternal life Nov. 30, 2008. The cause of death was congestive heart failure. He was in the comfort of his home, surrounded by loving family. He lived life to the fullest.

Richard loved people and could make anyone feel at ease. He always had a story to share. He loved to be active, whether working in his yard, going on long walks, riding his bike, square dancing, etc. He was always planning the next project. He truly enjoyed a good meal, driving his convertible, and the company of women.

Richard's father died when Richard was 3. He was raised in Sioux City and Haywarden, Iowa, by his widowed mother and two elder sisters. He also spent time with his uncles on the farm. Later his family moved to Glendale. He graduated from Burbank High School , then joined the Navy after working at Lockheed. After Word War II, he attended Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, and graduated with a degree in pharmacy. In college he met and married Marjory Voltmer. They settled in Glendale.

Richard began his career as a sales representative for Park-Davis. After the birth of their first child, Patty, they moved to Canoga Park, where Richard and a partner opened a pharmacy. Over the next several years, Richard owned and operated pharmacies in the San Fernando Valley and Glendale.

His family grew to include Betsy, Jennifer and Tom. After a move to Northridge, his last child, Fred, was born (delivered at home by Richard). After renting a house in the summer of 1973 in San Clemente, the family decided to relocate to San Clemente. Richard opened his last store – Sea View Pharmacy. Several years later, Richard and Marjory divorced yet continued to run the pharmacy and share family gatherings.

Richard tried to retire, but missed working. He didn't miss the headaches of owning a business, so he went to work for Sav-On. He relocated to Palm Desert and briefly remarried. He shared the last few years of his life with Jeri Sommers.

Richard is survived by his ex-wife Marjory; children and grandchildren Patty and Chris Thompson (Scott/Christy), Betsy Milner (Garrett/Kyle), Jennifer and Bob DeJong (Braden), Tom and Jackie Morris (Jenna, Matt, Eric), Fred and Jennifer Morris (Bill/Molly); partner Jeri Sommers; sister Ruth Doelz; niece MaryLynn Webster and great-nieces Julianne and Jacqueline Doelz.

He was preceded in death by his sister Dorothy Molinaro and nephew John Doelz.

Memorial services and burial will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Forest Lawn in Glendale, in the Wee-Kirk O' the Heather Chapel. Afterward, a reception and celebration of life will be held in San Clemente. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Saddleback Church in Lake Forest.