John Morris Sr.

John Patrick Morris, Sr., 62, of Quitman, Texas, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Sunday, August 16, 2026. He was born on July 26, 1964, in Yuma, Arizona, to Neal Wilson Morris, Jr., a US Navy Sailor, and Bonnie Ann Klingensmith. 

John graduated from MacArthur High School in Irving, Texas, in 1983 and proudly joined the United States Coast Guard that same year. During his 21 years of service, from 1983 until his retirement in 2004, John served his country with honor and dedication, ultimately retiring as a Chief Petty Officer Machinery Technician and Marine Safety Officer. The Coast Guard was an important part of John's life, and he remained proud of his service and the people with whom he served.  The Governor of the State of Texas awarded John the title and rank of Admiral in the Texas Navy.   

While serving in the Coast Guard, John met the love of his life, Kaye Lynn Taylor. The two were married in 1990 in Panama City, Fl. and shared 36 years of marriage, raising two children, Jaclyn Elizabeth and John Patrick, Jr. John was a devoted husband and father who cherished his family and took great pride in his children. 

John was an honorable man, a loyal friend, and a loving father. He possessed a wonderful sense of humor, often accompanied by a little sarcasm as the years went by. Those who knew him will remember his straightforward nature, his willingness to lend a hand, his strong sense of loyalty, and the unique humor that made him unmistakably John. 

After his Coast Guard retirement, John continued to enjoy serving his community. He worked at Winnsboro Hardware in Winnsboro, Texas, and for the past five years worked at True Value Hardware in Quitman. He was a man who appreciated practical work and took satisfaction in fixing, building, and creating things. 

John was also dedicated to serving his community and giving his time to others. He was a past Boy Scout Leader in Mineola and a member of the Kiwanis Club of Winnsboro. He was also a member of Hainesville Baptist Church, where he was part of the church family and community he held dear. John had many interests and passions. He was an avid collector, a supporter of law enforcement, and loved the outdoors, camping, and hunting. He enjoyed woodworking and working with his hands, and he had a deep interest in history and was a true facts and history buff. Whether outdoors, working on a project, studying history, or simply spending time with those he loved, John found meaning in the things that mattered to him. 

John was preceded in death by his parents, Neal Wilson Morris, Jr. and Bonnie Ann Moore; his brothers, Bryan Morris and Steven Morris; his stepfather, Harold Moore; and his grandparents, Pacer and Ellisue Morris and Eddie and Helen Klingensmith. 

He leaves behind his beloved wife, Kaye Morris of Quitman; his daughter, Jaclyn Elizabeth Arden and husband, Austin Arden, of Forney; his son, John Patrick Morris, Jr., of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; his brother, Michael Neal Morris, Jr. and wife Tonya of Dallas; his sisters, Jennifer Murphy and husband Jason of Azle and Cathy Kirby and husband Brett of Lewisville; his grandson, Xander Zane Rodriguez Morris; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends who will miss him dearly. 

John's life was one of service, family, hard work, friendship, and devotion to the people and causes he held dear. His unexpected passing leaves a profound emptiness in the lives of those who loved him, but his memory will live on through his family, his friends, the many lives he touched, and the stories that will continue to be told about him.

 In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Autism Center in John's memory. 

A Memorial Celebration of John's life will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Hainesville Baptist Church, 3368 FM 49, Mineola, Texas 75773. 

John served his country with honor, loved his family fiercely, worked hard, laughed often, and lived life in his own unmistakable way. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.