Jack Morris

Jack V. Morris was born on November 23, 1933, in rural Nowata County to Lonus and Sylvania Morris. Jack went home to his Lord and Savior on February 17, 2023 at the age of 89 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.

Jack worked hard his whole life and always made the best of every situation. Jack attended high school in Delaware, Oklahoma where he lend a helping hand to the cooks and was noted as making the best mashed potatoes. He loved playing basketball and would still tell you play by play stories that included teammates, plays, and scores of various games. Jack attended Childers School his senior year, and was a proud member of the Pirates that went undefeated in the regular season with a record of 32-0, qualifying for the 1953 Class C State Tournament.

On February 11, 1956, Jack married the love of his life, Ester Bowden. Together they worked side-by-side running a dairy farm and was often hosts to local school children for tours of their farm. Jack was very involved with his children and their activities, teaching both to be great horsemen, competing yearly at the Cavalcade, and enjoying telling the stories of competition-especially in the wild cow milking with his good friend Punk Wesson. He was a very active member of the Delaware Round-Up Club and represented the club by riding in parades and keeping the rodeo grounds in pristine condition. Jack also mentored his children as they bred and raised their livestock projects that included beef cattle, dairy cattle, and hogs.

Jack was very involved in his community- as he and Esther hosted an annual Halloween spook house, providing family-oriented fun for the young and old alike. Together, Jack and Esther also hosted monthly community dinners as they valued their neighbors as family. As an act of service, Jack could often be found mowing road ditches along Centralia Road and any yard that needed to be mowed. He also served the Lord by keeping the church yard looking its very best.

Jack served as an usher for many years at his church. He was also very active in Farm Bureau, serving on their board of directors for 36 years, as well as catering their annual business meeting meal.

Jack was a skilled craftsman and could build or fix anything. Jack built fence, ponds, barns, building, smokers, various furniture pieces, and everything in between.

Jack’s top priority was his relationship with Jesus. He never missed an opportunity to tell any and every one, about how good the Lord has been to him. One of his greatest joys was the Big Creek Gospel Singing, that he and Esther provided meals for and opened their home to people far and wide to share Christ’s love. Jack loved to “ make a joyful noise unto the Lord” and was best known for singing This Old House.

Second only to Jesus was Jack’s family. He was so proud of his family, the time spent together, and the special relationship he held with each one. Jack knew how to make each one feel special. Jack never knew his father and always had a dream to just see a picture of his father. When the timing was right, Jack’s little sister, Donna went to work to make this dream come true for him. As a result, Jack was able to not only meet, but form a relationship with 9 brothers and 2 sisters.

Jack is a true example of being the hands and feet of Jesus, leaving behind a legacy that most could only hope for.

Jack is survived by his daughter Sandra and husband Roger Hallett of Childers, son Tony and wife Kathy Morris of Childers, 5 grandchildren, Clinton Hallett of Nowata, Carissa and Jordan Provost of Childers, Jackie Chaney of Wann, Jarrod and Melissa Morris of Childers, and Jamie and CJ Holinsworth of Nowata. 6 great grandchildren, Jimmy “Bub” Chaney, Carson Morris, Waylon Chaney, Cheyenne Holinsworth, Braden Morris, and Jacob Holinsworth, sister Donna Winn and husband Jim of Bartlesville and many, many other family and friends.

Jack is preceded in death by his parents, wife of 63 years, Esther, and infant son Danny.

Visitation for Jack will be held on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at the Benjamin Funeral Home in Nowata, Oklahoma from 4:00-8:00 pm.

Services will be held on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at 2:00 pm at the First Church of God, located on the corner of Pine and Seneca in Nowata, Oklahoma. Interment will be held at the Ball Cemetery, located in Childers, Oklahoma following the service.