E.L. "Jr." Morris

Eldridge Leonard Morris, Jr.

E.L. “Jr.” Morris died on February 6, 2022, at the age of 75 at his home in DeRidder, LA surrounded by his family.

He was born on November 5, 1946, in DeRidder, the son of Eldridge and June Morris.

He graduated from DeRidder High School in 1967. While on leave from the U.S. Army prior to his deployment to Vietnam, he married his high school sweetheart, Diane Dees Morris, on June 21, 1967 and they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary shortly before her death in 2017.

During the Vietnam Conflict he was a member of Bravo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 94th Artillery Division, where he earned numerous medals and honors. Jr. was a proud Veteran, a member of the VFW Post 3619 and enjoyed staying connected to his fellow soldiers.

Upon completion of his military service, he worked in Natchitoches while Diane completed her degree from Northwestern State University. The couple then moved back to DeRidder, where he worked in his family’s business, Morris Tire Service, for 30 years before starting a right-of-way company and later, a construction company.

In the early 1970’s, he was active in the Jaycees and volunteered for numerous community projects. He was active with his daughters in supporting their FFA projects and 4H show animals and an avid LSU sports fan.

He is survived by his daughter, Stacey Morris Dowden and husband, Pat of DeRidder, and daughter, Kelli Morris Bush, and husband, Pete of Baton Rouge in addition to his grandchildren Shelbi Bush Wambles (Matt), Sydney Sterling, Jacob Bush, Lily Jane Dial, Taylor Bush and Levi Dial, and great-grandchildren, Elliot and Emmett Wambles.

He is also survived by his brother, James “Jim” Morris and his wife, Patricia, numerous nieces and nephews and his mother-in-law, Kathryn Bennett Dees.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Diane Dees Morris, his parents, Eldridge and June Morris, his brother, Roger Morris, his sister, Brenda Hollis and his father-in-law, Joe B. Dees.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 10, 2022 from 10:00 AM until the time of service at 12:00 PM at Grace Church in DeRidder, LA. Pastor George Lee Glass will officiate the service. Pallbearers will be Jacob Bush, Chris Godair, Brandt Patterson, Davey Uhlik, Scott Hollis, Bryan Morris, Jared Morris. Honorary Pallbearers will be David Burton, David Granger, Hollis Ray O’Neal, Steve Presley, Paul Van Namen, Gary Godair, Donald Cranor, Jason Morris. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in DeRidder, LA.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to their family friend and doctor, Dr. Chris Granger, Holley Wisby and Angelle of Heart of Hospice, and his caregiver Beth Russell.

Services are under the direction of Myers-Colonial Funeral Home in DeRidder, LA.