David Morris

David Morris

David William Morris, 96, passed away Dec. 25, 2008, at Immanuel Lutheran Home of natural causes.

David was born Nov. 24, 1912, in Fallon to Arthur and Edna Morris. He grew up in Whitefish, graduating with high honors from Whitefish High School in 1934.

He married Helen Clark on Nov. 24, 1935, in Whitefish. They met when she was eight years old and he was 12. They had three children and were happily married for 73 years. David’s love and devotion to Helen was evident in everything he did. They raised their children in Whitefish.

Dave made a living logging, ranching, outfitting in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, building ski slopes on Big Mountain and maintaining the roads, parking lots and housing developments with snow removal that has been passed to his grandson Mark Morris.

He was a charter member of the Flathead County Sheriff’s Posse, a member of the Whitefish Saddle Club, Back Country Horsemen and a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Whitefish. He and his late brother Lester enjoyed much time in the backcountry, along with friends and family, hunting, fishing and sharing the beauty of Montana with people from all over the country.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Catherine; brothers Dwight, Sherwin, his twin Robert, Lester and Arthur; sisters Leona, Alvira and Lula; and granddaughter Debbie Hedman.

David is survived by his wife Helen, of Whitefish; daughter Marie Morris Hedman, of Kalispell; son Robert Morris and wife Patty, of Whitefish; grandchildren Doug Hedman and wife Kathy, of Washington, Dale Hedman and wife Annette, of California, Dave Morris and wife Wendy, of Whitefish, Mark Morris and wife Sherilyn, of Whitefish, Darcy Morris, of Whitefish, and Yvette Holler and husband Bruce, of Kalispell; great grandchildren Jason, Mandie, Jenna, Daniel, Paige, Casey, Cody, Wyatt, Jessica, Clayton and Courtney; great great grandchildren Isabell, Alexis, Raylina and Serena; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A family burial service will be held Friday, Jan. 2, 2009, at 2 p.m. at Glacier Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Memorial services will take place Saturday Jan. 3, 2009, at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Whitefish. Austin Funeral Home is taking care of the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Flathead County Sheriff’s Posse Scholarship Fund, 800 South Main, Kalispell MT 59901.