Harold Thomas Morris (Tom)

4/16/1945 ~ 12/25/2022

Harold Thomas Morris (Tom) was born April 16, 1945, in Cincinnati, Ohio to Harold & Vivian (Parry) Morris. He was the second of 13 children. He always maintained strong relationships with his brothers and sisters and, together with his wife of 57 years,  became a dedicated and loving patriarch of a large family of his own.

As a young man, Tom worked as a painter’s helper in the family business and he spent his free time in the great outdoors. Pal-ing  around with his Dad and older  brother, Bob, he learned the ins and outs of camping, hunting, fishing, exploring and sometimes even a little bit of mischief.   Later in life, he especially loved when his kids, grandkids, siblings or nephews would come along for a fishing trip, desert trek or drive through the beautiful mountains of Utah. He and his brother Sam logged thousands of hours in the air and on the ground to here, there, and everywhere.

At the age of 20 he married his eternal companion, Diane Pendley. They met at a dance and have been dancing ever since.  Dad could cut a rug and could always get the room giggling when the right song came on.

They were sealed in the Los Angeles Temple in1971.  Together they have nine children; six daughters and three sons.  Twenty-six grandchildren and five great-grandkids call him G-Pa.

Tom inherited his father’s love of aviation. The son of a World War II bomber pilot, he joined the Air Force on his 17th birthday. He was trained as a radar operator. He was part of a flight crew manning a Lockheed Super Constellation radar plane during the Cuban Missile Crisis.  After serving his country, he worked as a civilian air traffic controller for the FAA. He used his GI Bill to become a licensed commercial pilot and was part-owner of an Aeronca, a small single-engine airplane. He loved to take his family flying and always had an eye towards the sky.

He loved to paint, and was a self-taught artist. He looked forward to the yearly Plein Air competition in Spring City. Through his artwork he found self- expression and showed his appreciation for the beauties of the earth. His paintings are displayed with pride in the homes of his family and friends.

He was a personable man, and instantly liked by anyone who met him. He was kind to everyone, and always had a ‘dad joke’ to share. Of all the things he loved in life, his grandchildren brought him the greatest joy. It was a most special day when Grandpa would show up and treat you to lunch at Chuck-a-Rama. He spent his life visiting, tending, and serving his kids and grandkids; always showing up with a gift in his hands. He taught us to love and respect children and revered them as God’s greatest gift.

Tom loved the Gospel of Jesus Christ with all of his heart. He seemed to grasp and understand the scriptures and words of the prophets like it was second nature. He would often share that testimony with those around him. He was no stranger to adversity and his testimony and faith in Jesus Christ would help lead him through and often produce miracles along the way.

Tom is survived by his wife Diane; his 9 children along with their spouses, 26 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, December 29, 2022, at 1 p.m. at the Rock Church in Spring City. A viewing will be held that morning from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Services will conclude at the Spring City Cemetery, where Tom will be laid to rest.

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