Dennis Morris

MORRIS Dennis (Denny) Jay Morris, age 65, of Mount Sterling, Ohio died November 16, 2012 at Riverside Hospital. He was born June 1, 1947 near Mt. Sterling, Ohio, the son of James Paul and Escalene (Bogard) Morris.
Most of his life revolved around the game of baseball as a player, coach and fan. He graduated from The Plains High School, Mount Sterling, Ohio in 1965. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and Masters Degrees in Education and Educational Administration from Miami University in 1969 and 1974. He was a baseball graduate assistant coach at Miami University, 1973-74. Mr. Morris retired as coach, athletic director, administrator and teacher from Madison Plains High School in 1994. He was involved in coaching baseball on the youth, high school and college levels for over 30 years. After retirement Morris became the director of the Mount Sterling Community Museum. Throughout the years he served in the following organizations: President, Mount Sterling High School Alumni Association; President, Mount Sterling Public Library Board (11 year member); Vice-President, Westfall Board of Education; Secretary, Monroe Township Zoning Appeals Board; member of the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association and National Association of Athletic Directors. He was also a member of the Five Pointed United Methodist Church. He was proud to claim that he belonged to no secret societies.
Denny is survived by his wife of 38 years, Katherine (Luthman) Morris, 3 daughters and 1 son: Bethany Ann (Morris) and Jeff Buckner, April (Morris) and Randy Massie and Linda Kay Morris, Joseph and Rachel Morris; 2 granddaughters Abigail and Lillian Buckner; sister Sandra Lee Morris (Steve) Venturini; Nieces: Maria (Matt) Garcia, Gina (Jason) Simcox; Godchild, Kelly (Andy) Schmeising; numerous brothers-and sisters-in-law.
Friends may call Monday, November 19, 2012 from 3 – 7 p.m. at the Mt. Sterling First Church of the Nazarene 226 N. Market Street, Mt. Sterling, OH. 43143. A Funeral service will be held Tuesday, November 20, 2012 at 11:35 a.m. at the church where the family will receive friends one hour prior. Rev. Thom Barker, Rev. Jeff Griffith and Todd Henry will be officiating. The burial will be in the Bloomingburg Cemetery, Bloomingburg, Ohio.
It was Coach Morris’ wish that any Memorial Contributions go directly to the baseball programs of Madison Plains or Westfall High Schools to be used for the purchase of baseballs and bats, of which a team never seems to have enough. In addition, family has agreed that Memorial Contributions may also be made to the Mount Sterling Community Museum.