Roy Morris

Roy Eugene Morris walked into the arms of God on April 1, 2020. His family will privately celebrate his life at a graveside service on Monday, April 6, 2020 at Grace Hill Cemetery of Perry.  Friends are welcome to stop by Brown-Dugger Funeral Home on Sunday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. to pay their respects.   The family suggests memorials be sent to First Baptist Church, Perry, OK or the Noble County Family YMCA.

Roy was born on January 4, 1950 to Howard and Gladys (Gilliland) Morris of Welch, Texas. A proud Dawson Dragon, Roy played eight-man football and basketball, was active in the FFA and Beta Clubs and was elected senior class president. He was licensed to preach the gospel by the First Baptist Church of Welch, TX before graduating as Salutatorian of Dawson High School in 1968. Baptist churches would continue to play a significant role in Roy’s life as it was at a youth group event at Crestview Baptist Church in Lamesa, TX where he met Ann Garrett who would become his bride on July 4, 1969. Roy spent a year at Cisco Junior College before transferring to Angelo State University where he received a Bachelor’s in Business Administration in 1972. While completing his degree, Roy worked at an accounting firm in San Angelo Texas. Following graduation, Roy and his bride moved to Dallas where he began working in the auditing department for Arthur Anderson. Big city life didn’t really suit the young couple, so when his brother-in-law asked him to move to Perry, OK, to help manage a lumber yard, Roy and Ann happily relocated. Once Sorrell Lumber was established and thriving, Roy opened an accounting practice which he owned and operated from 1980-2015. In 2012 Morris Accounting was named Main Street’s Star Downtown Business of the Year.

From coaching little league baseball to directing traffic for the Cherokee Strip Parade, Roy loved being a part of the community of Perry. Most Mondays he could be found having lunch with his Rotary Club where he served as President in 1983-84. He was an active member of the Perry Chamber of Commerce serving as President in 1985-86, when McDonalds broke ground, and 1986-87. Morris was named Citizen of the Year by the Chamber in 1987. In 2006 he was inducted into the Chamber Hall of Fame. A member of Perry First Baptist Church since February 6th 1974, Roy served as chairman of the special building committee that oversaw the construction of the current sanctuary where he would later see all three of his children baptized.

Though he was an incredibly hard worker, Morris was also someone who knew how to have fun and loved his family. He always had a smile on his face when he was standing in front of his grill, cooking steaks and sausages for his family. Weekends were regularly spent at the lake whether that meant fishing at CCC Lake or boating at Perry Lake, Sooner Lake or Lake Keystone. He especially enjoyed being at the lake when it meant a trip to Possum Kingdom or Lake Amistad and spending time with his siblings, nieces and nephews. He enjoyed golfing, especially when he could be on the course with his sons. In 2003 the Perry Golf and Country Club recognized him for his years of dedication and contributions to the Junior Golf Program. A licensed pilot, he enjoyed flying his family to Texas to visit their extended family. He also used that skill to transport members of the pastoral search committee to visit prospective ministers.

In August of 2014 Roy sustained a spinal cord injury such that doctors informed his family he would likely not return home. Those doctors didn’t realize about whom they were speaking. Roy was a man of faith and a man who possessed an impeccable work ethic. With the help of God and a devoted wife, not only did he return home, but he went to physical therapy to become stronger so he could attend church musicals, high school orchestra concerts, dance recitals, and little league football, basketball and t-ball games to support his grandkids. He loved cheering on the Oklahoma State Cowboys from his living room and even managed to attend a few games in Gallagher-Iba Arena.

Roy is survived by his wife of 50 years, Ann (Garrett) Morris; his children: Diana and Wade Watkins of Stillwater, OK; Doug and Julie Morris of Edmond, OK; and Garrett and Paige Morris of Stillwater, OK; his siblings Donna Sorrell and husband Harold; Joyce Straley; Mary Ann Wilson and husband Jerry; Howard Morris and wife, Lela; James Morris and wife, Louise; Marcia Straley and husband, Gery; Terry Morris and wife, Gayle; Keith Morris and wife, Lavonda; and Linda Mayfield; Linda Morris and Ouita Morris; seven grandchildren: Emma Watkins, Ryan, Rett and Raley Morris, Greenlee, Preston and Havlynn Morris, and a host of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Arlen Morris and Melvin Morris.