Donald William Morris

Donald William Morris of St. Michaels, MD died on Thursday, April 24, 2003 at University of MD Hospital, Baltimore. He was 81. Born May 31, 1921 in Elizabeth, PA, he attended schools in Ohio before moving to the Pittsburgh area to work in a steel mill until enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1942. He served in North Africa with the First Infantry (Big Red One) and was seriously wounded in the invasion of Sicily, resulting in the loss of his right leg. He was returned to the U. S. and was sent to Walter Reed Army Medical Center for further treatment. While at the hospital he met and married Lt. Louise Moore, a nurse. After his discharge he worked for Army Map Service in the Washington, D.C. area as a cartographic photographer for thirty years. He made a number of trips to Europe and the Middle East during his career to assist other countries in establishing modern mapping organizations. In 1975 he retired and moved to St. Michaels, MD where he began working as a volunteer at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. He also served on the Talbot County Committee for the Employment of The Handicapped, the Aquatics Committee of the YMCA of Talbot County, and as a volunteer driver for the American Cancer Society. In addition, he served as Chairman of the Trustees of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church and President of the Methodist Men’s Club. He was a past Commander of Chapter 31, Disabled American Veterans, past Department of MD and Chapter Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and a member of V.F.W. Post #5118. His Army decorations included the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart Medal, Bronze Star, and European Theatre Ribbon with three Battle Stars and one Invasion Arrow. In addition to his wife, Mr. Morris is survived by three sons, Gary W. Morris, Craig A. Morris and Brian R. Morris; and one daughter, Ellyn L. Vail. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Private burial will be at Maryland Eastern Shore Veterans Cemetery, Hurlock, MD. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Little Big Horn College, Forestry Lane, PO Box 370, Crow Agency, Montana 59022. Arrangements are by Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, P.A., Easton, MD.