Dewitt Lionel Morris, Sr.

DeWitt Lionel Morris, Sr., 95, died December 8, 2011, in his residence, with his loved ones at his side.

Born in New Orleans, Louisiana to John Downing and Virginia Johnson Morris, Mr. Morris was the sixth of seven sons. He graduated from Warren Easton High School and went on to study Mechanical and Electrical Engineering at Tulane University, graduating in 1937. He served his country during World War II in the U. S. Navy from 1941-1945. He lived in Port Sulphur from 1947-1952, New Orleans from 1952-2003 before moving to Lake Charles. He worked for Freeport Sulphur Company from 1937-1977 as a Junior Engineer, progressing to Chief Engineer of several sulphur mines in South Louisiana, including the largest offshore mineral production rig in the world at Grand Isle, Louisiana. Recognizing his natural affinity for people, Mr. Morris was promoted to Chief of Personnel and Human Relations at Freeport. Mr. Morris was a member and former president of the Engineer's Club of New Orleans, as well as a former president of the New Orleans Committee for Alcohol and Drug Abuse.

DeWitt was instrumental in the formation and growth of St. Luke's United Methodist Church in New Orleans, where he served God and others throughout his lifetime. His heartfelt belief of giving to God first with a cheerful heart encouraged others to follow his example. He loved and was loved by many, many children, in addition to his own. He was the official "Grandpa" of St. Luke's nursery school and was active in the preschool program at Crossroads Church in Lake Charles until the end of his life.

DeWitt had three guidelines for his life:

I will do the most I can for others.

I will do all I can with loving thoughts.

I will never over magnify any obstacles.

Mr. Morris is survived by children, DeWitt L. Morris, Jr. and wife Brigit B. of Dana Point, California, Eugene M . Morris and wife Lucy of Canton, Connecticut, Marcia Hawthorne and husband Edward of High Point, North Carolina, Terri M. Soileau and husband Dr. E. Jay Soileau of Lake Charles; ten grandchildren, Jason Morris and wife Kim, Hilary Lawson and husband Korey , Helena Morris, Jean Cormier and husband Trent, Katherine Sutton and husband Travis, Eleanor Hawthorne, John Soileau and wife Amy, Lucy Craig and husband Mark, David Soileau and Leila Soileau; seventeen great grandchildren, Izabella, Elijah, Hailey, Kenadee, Eden, Asher, Josey, Abigail, Hudson, Jackson, Anna, Jack, Jules, Halla, Marcus, Jacob, and Sage; and a host of nieces and nephews as well as his dog, Poppy.

DeWitt was preceded in death by his beloved wife of sixty years, Jean Eloise Smith Morris, great grandchild, Mark Anthony Craig, his parents and his six brothers.

Memorial services will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, December 11, 2011, at CrossRoads Church in Lake Charles and at 3 p.m. on Friday, December 30, 2011 at St. Luke United Methodist Church in New Orleans. The family will receive friends following each service at each church.

Memorial donations may be made in memory of Mr. Morris to the Jean Eloise Smith Morris Memorial Garden at St. Luke United Methodist Church, 5875 Canal Blvd, New Orleans, La. 70124 or the charity of one's choice.