Obituary of Gordon George Morrison

Gordon George Morrison, 89, was born in Sheffield Township, OH, on October 22, 1925, and passed away at home, on the evening of February 27, 2015. He was the fourth of six children born to Vern Oren Morrison and Era Pearl (Cherry) Morrison, and was a member of New Leaf Methodist Church in Conneaut, and also the VFW. He received his formal education in a one-room school house in Pierpont, where he would ride his horse into school early to fetch water and chop wood. Gordon met the love of his life, Shirley Rae Weaver, when they were both 12 years old, and would often ride his bike into Conneaut from Pierpont to see her. They were married on November 13, 1944, and celebrated 70 years of marriage, surrounded by their children, in 2014. Gordon served aboard the most decorated battleship in naval history, the USS New Jersey, BB 62 (The Black Dragon), during World War II. He had built their current home almost single-handedly in 1960. After working as construction superintendent for Moser Construction Company for 35 years, he retired in 1995. He enjoyed boating and fishing on Lake Erie, as well as the Florida Keys, and they spent many years enjoying family trips to the Keys with their children and grandchildren. In later years, he enjoyed annual USS New Jersey reunions, and gave his family a personal tour of his beloved ship. He is preceded in death by his parents, a premature stillborn son, grandson John David Grantz, son-in-law Jamie Nieminen, brothers Alfred, LaVern, and John Morrison, and one sister, Lillian Morrison Griggs. Gordon is survived by his wife, Shirley, and children, David Morrison and Jannette Morrison Nieminen of Conneaut, OH, Teri (James) Grantz of New Springfield, OH; grandchildren, James (Shannon) Grantz of North Lima, OH, and Jacquelyn (Jefferson) Hostetter of Poland, OH; great-grandchildren, Andrew Grantz of Fairfax, VA, Alexander Grantz of Los Angeles, CA, Hannah Grantz of Winter Park, FL, and J. Austin, J. Tristan, and J. Dalton Hostetter of Poland OH, as well as a sister, Marjorie Morrison Lower, sisters-in-law Twila Morrison, Betty Morrison, Judith Weaver Miller, and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held, Friday, March 6, 2015 at 12 Noon, at the New Leaf United Methodist Church, corner of Buffalo and Madison Sts., Conneaut, with Pastor Jan Walsh, officiating. Military honors will be performed by American Legion Cowle Post #151. Calling hours will be held on Friday at the church from 11 A.M. until time of services at 12 Noon. Inurnment will be held at a later date. Should friends desire memorials in memory of Gordon may be given to Conneaut Food Pantry.