John Morris

John Morris of Trappe died Friday, August 10, 2007, at Memorial Hospital at Easton. He was 68. Born on February 26, 1939, in Trappe, MD, he was the son of the late Lloyd L. Morris. Jack attended Talbot County Public Schools, served his country in the United States Air Force where he received his GED, graduated with a Bachelors Degree from Salisbury University where he played on both the soccer and baseball teams, and than later in 1971 earned a Masters Degree in Vocational Education from the University of Maryland, College Park. He Served as an acolyte at the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Trappe, was a lifelong member of the Trappe Volunteer Fire Company, a member of the Coats Lodge #102 AF and AM, Easton, and a member of the Train Collectors Association- Eastern Division. Jack loved teaching. He started his career at Fruitland Elementary School, later being employed with Cecil County and Prince George’s County where he taught elementary physical education. He moved his family back to his hometown of Trappe, bought an old house, an ongoing “fixer upper” and began teaching Industrial Arts at Centreville Middle School. He moved to the Talbot County Volunteer Tech Center and taught carpentry and brick laying until his retirement when the Volunteer Tech Program was discontinued. Jack and Beth had an antique shop for many years, they refinished furniture and caned chairs before opening a driving school. Jack was the “founding father” of Bayside Driving School, which opened in 1982. Jack is survived by his wife Beth of forty- three years, three daughters, Samantha M. Bender and her husband, Dave of Prospect, Kentucky, Zoe M. Keeter and her husband, Robin of Easton, and Megan R. Morris of Trappe; four grandsons, Grason, Quinn, and Slater Bender, Wilson Keeter, and one granddaughter, Riley Keeter. Jack also leaves behind a brother, Lloyd “Skip” L. Morris and his wife, Connie of Easton, their three children, Trippe, Cindy, and Mary and their families. He is also survived by a lifelong special friend, Clarence Parrott of Trappe. His four- legged companions will miss him; Pywacket, Creasy, and Lucy only three of many over the years. He was preceded in death by infant twin daughters and an infant sister, Cherron Gayle Morris. “Mr. Morris” had an impact on many students in the four county areas, both in public school and in the driving school. He will be missed but not forgotten. The Maryland Terrapin Men’s Basketball team and the Baltimore Orioles have both lost one of their greatest fans. A graveside service will be held on Saturday, August 18, 2007, at 11:00 A.M. at Whitemarsh Cemetery with Tommy Spillman, Jeff Mulligan, Allan Hooper, Ephraim Diefenderfer, Danny Diefenderfer, and Tim Schwaninger serving as pall bearers, and Billy Cecil serving as an honorary pall bearer. Memorial donations may be made to the Trappe Volunteer Fire Company, P.O. Box 86, Trappe, MD 21673. Arrangements are by Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home, P. A., Easton.