Gordon Howard Morris

On the beautiful morning of March 8, 2026, Gordon Howard Morris peacefully parted ways with his body amid the warm Sunday bustle of family in his daughter’s home in Denver, Colorado following a short and brave battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

The fifth of seven children born to Robert L. Morris and Bernadine L. Schomas, Gordon started spreading sawdust in his life of love and adventure on September 9, 1951 in Torrance, California.

Gordon graduated from Boys Town High School in Omaha, Nebraska in 1970. His time there instilled in him lifelong values of courage, integrity, community and perseverance; as well as the Catholic faith providing a pillar of stability. He had such gratitude and fondness for the experience that he attended the annual convention each summer with profound devotion.

Following high school, Gordon embarked on what would become a dedicated 22+ year career in the United States Navy where he served proudly as a Dental Technician. His time in the military fed his wanderlust: he spent some time on ships and submarines, and was stationed in Bethesda, Maryland, San Diego and El Centro, California, Guam, Iwakuni, Japan, and Germany during a 4-year early-career stint in the Army.

Upon retirement in the spring of 1993, he sought to raise his family in the peace and quiet outside of Laramie, Wyoming where he lived tranquilly until illness made its hostile takeover in January of 2026. He was known at the local McCallister’s Deli for his enthusiastic and quirky order of “A.P. Sweet” where staff quickly caught on that it was his translation of “Arnold Palmer with sweet tea”. A consummate DIY guy, Gordon was resourceful and could fix anything. A crafty man who was always trying new things, there's no shortage of woodworking or stained glass that he loved to create for others. He was a road warrior who found solace in the thrum of the asphalt. For a number of his retirement years, with his Gordon Setters Pilgrim and Quinn riding shotgun, he worked in transport. With Elvis Presley, Nat King Cole and Johnny Horton in his ear, he made it a point to visit everyone he knew along (and out of) the way. He found great meaning and humor when passing through any town named Morris to stop and take pictures with the town sign.

Gordon was known as the super glue of both his immediate family and extended community. He was a selfless man who always put others first and would gladly give the shirt off his back to anyone in need. In his home, Gordon supported the final days of both of his brothers Raymond and Ricky within weeks of each other, and his sister Nancy years later. Without fail, he could be relied upon to lend a helping hand, his presence a source of protection, security and reassurance. 

He is survived by his daughters Diana A. Morris Peterman and her husband Brian D. Peterman of Denver, Colorado, Peggy C. Morris of Laramie, Wyoming; his grandchildren Mica B. Gilliland of Laramie, Wyoming, Erika K. Gilliland of Kansas City, Missouri, Alice I. Peterman and Clare F. Peterman of Denver, Colorado; sisters Patricia Clark of Bullhead City, Arizona, and Sheila Stahl of Phoenix, Arizona.

He is preceded in death by his ex-wife Hitomi “Kiki” Morris (2022), uncle Richard R. Morris (2002), mother Bernadine Schomas Wilson (1997), father Robert Lee Morris (1996), siblings Nancy Littlefair (2023), Raymond Morris (2004), Robert “Ricky” Morris (2004), Edith Stahl (1976), Vanessa Wilson-Rodriguez (2010), and son-in-law Jason Conry (2015).

A private viewing and witness cremation will be held Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 10 a.m. at Blake Funeral and Cremation in Denver, Colorado. His remains will come to rest in the solitude of the home he loved and was so proud of where his children and grandchildren will always be able to visit and watch John Wayne movies with him.

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