Donald Michael Morse
Donald Michael Morse, 81, of Searcy, Ark. passed away at his youngest son’s St. Louis home with his wife, son, and daughter-in-law by his side early Sunday morning, 2/15/15, after a brave battle with cancer. Don, born 3/1/33, of Cleveland Ohio, was a devoted husband, veteran, and father with loyal family ties, strong moral fiber, and upbeat sense of humor. He always put the needs of others ahead of his own wishes. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Peggy Chambers Morse, her mother and brother, Edythe and Tony Chambers, five sons and daughters-in-law, eight grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and one great, great grandchild.
Memorial service is on 2/27/15, at 1 p.m., Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery & Chapel, St. Louis, Missouri. Flowers may be sent to 4465A Pershing ave. St. Louis, Mo 63108. Online condolences and memorial photos are available at https://stlouiscremation.com/obituaries/donald-m-morse
Dad graduated from Saint Ignatius High School in 1951, Ohio; he graduated in Business and philosophy at John Carroll University in 1955, from there he served in the army in Germany from 1955 to 1957. Dad was in real estate, and a restaurateur for two restaurants in Monterrey, California; there he met and married his true love, Peggy Morse, in Carmel, California; he returned to Ohio and served as comptroller for Erie Lakawana Railways, and later comptroller for the Western Reserve Historical Society in Cleveland, Ohio, and finally he served as head accountant for the family business, MaryKay, until he passed away.
Prayer:
God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be, so He put his arms around you
and whispered, “Come to Me”. With tearful eyes we watched you, and saw you pass away.
Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating,
hard working hands at rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best.
Goodbyes:
My Soul Mate of 48 years, how you spoiled me and called me diva, I’m lost without you. (wife, Peggy Morse)
My lovely father-in-law, of twenty-five years, has been the best father I could have ever had. He will remain forever in my heart. (Daughter-in-law, Kimberly A. Morse, St. Louis, Mo.)
“He beat the system!” This is my favorite way of describing my father, for he lived as he pleased, refusing to sacrifice his time and energy to become a corporate drone. He always found creative and joyful ways to live differently. He was a unique and rare individual. Although he always chose his own way, however, the way he chose always included the deepest concern for others. He was always caring and loving. He made me feel secure and loved all my life—abundantly so. He taught me so many things, like how to ride a bike and how to drive stick shift in a car and how to sail a boat. Above all, he taught me how to be human—how to love and to respect others, and myself; how to be kind and faithful; and how to make the most out of life. He was also a natural born philosopher, wondering about the stars at night and our place in the universe. He would sometime say, “There must be something out there!” i.e., something intelligible and divine, while gazing out into the night sky. Or, at other times, while looking up through the trees, he would say, “we are each of us just a leaf on a tree,” meaning that we are small and frail and exist for only a short duration. He was interested in the story of Lazarus, wondering why Lazarus was mute about what life was like after death. Words cannot capture the love I feel for my father, or for how unique of an individual he is. He is irreplaceable. He is, in Kierkegaard’s sense, “the singular individual.” He is irreducible. He retired early, throwing away his watch into the trash, tossing away his suit and tie, and refusing to be a slave to time or work (i.e., to another man’s project). As I say, he beat the system. In this respect, as in so many others, I greatly admire him. He approached death like Socrates—as a model of behavior for us all. He was calm, untroubled, and dignified. He was unafraid. He lived for the precious joys of the moment, such as discussing life with his loved ones, or simply enjoying the presence of being. He would sometimes challenge people in order to get them to think—again like Socrates. Dad also had a terrific sense of humor. He always knew how to make people laugh and to bring levity into any situation, lest it should grow too serious or too grim. He always said his jokes were too refined for others to understand—which was his way of joking about the fact that people didn’t always get his jokes! I miss him terribly and I will never forget him. He was always so full of life; he was always so intensely alive, that I cannot believe he is gone. The world is worse off for him being gone, but a better place for him having been here. Dad, please don’t go! How are we supposed to live without you? [Don Morse, son, Saint Louis, MO]
Family of Donald M. Morse
Mother & Father of Donald M. Morse: Tillie Ann Morse & Michael George Morse (Ohio & Pennsylvania)
Sister of Donald M. Morse: Dorothy Hyer (Ohio)
In-laws of Donald M. Morse: Edythe Chambers & F.J. Chambers (AR); Tony & Margret Chambers (AR); Jack Hyer (OH)
Wife of Donald M. Morse: Peggy Chambers Morse (AR)
Sons & Daughter in laws of Donald M. Morse: Michael Gladden (and Linda, KY), Marc Gladden (and Maureen, NC), Gregg Gladden (and Lynn, AR), Mathew Morse (and Kim, AK), and Don Morse (and Kim, MO & OH)
Grand-Children of Donald M. Morse: Peggy Gladden (KY), Mike Gladden (KY), Nicholas Gladden (AR), Madison Gladden (AR), Elijah Morse (AK) , Josh Nicholson (AK), Erin Nicholson (AK) , Nichaluas Kaznoch (OH)
Great Grand-Children of Donald M. Morse: Kyle Gladden (KY), Mai Kaye Gladden (KY)
Great, Great Grand Child: Zaiden Gladden (KY)
Nieces & Nephews of Donald M. Morse: Karen (IL), Kathy (IL) & Kim Hyer (OH); Michele, Julie & Brian (AR)
Uncles of Donald M. Morse: Joe Moras (PA), Al Moras (CA)
Dad’s Favorite Song by John Lennon:
Imagine there’s no heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today
Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion, too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you will join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
You, you may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you will join us
And the world will live as one
Published by
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Love you dad.
Don and Kim, you and your family are in my thoughts. I’m sending you warmth and comfort, and hoping you are filled with good memories to help you through.
Peggy and Family,
We feel like we have really come to know and love you in the last few years. We will never forget all our times together and our sharing so much. Don, I thank you for loving Peggy forever! Words can not express the loss we feel. Love and prayers go out to you all.
You taught me the meaning of courage and love. You excepted everyone with compassion and understanding. How lucky I am to have known someone who was so hard to say goodbye to, but if love could have saved you, you would have lived forever. I love you dad.
Don and Kim. What a rich, unique and wonderful life your father lived! My deepest sympathies to you and your family.
Dave Hilditch
(Webster Philosophy)
Peggy, Kim and Don, I’m so sorry to hear that Don has passed away. My deepest sympathies to you and your family. You are in my thoughts. I’m so glad I had a chance to meet Don in my life, I still remember how warm and great individual he was when I first met him. Love and prayers to you all.
Sincerely,
Nagisa
Love you dad , we will be together again
Peggy and Family you are in my thoughts and prayers.
My thought and prayers are with everyone.
My Uncle Don was a great guy– I remeber how he moved back to Ohio from California to care for his mom, my grandma Tillie. I enjoyed visits with him and his new wife Peggy and the boys. We were close in my younger years but lost touch as life moved us apart. One thing that was always evident is the love he and Aunt Peggy shared for each other. my prayers and thoughts go out to all of you– he left behind a legacy of love and
Sorry I haven’t spent more time w you as I have grown older. In hindsight I able able to appreciate your open heart and love for my mother and myself through out my never ending turmoils. Thank you for always accepting me and being there for my mother. I realize that I have missed a chance to enjoy your wisdom fully. Thoughts and love to the Morse family. Sincerely&respectfully. Nichalaus kaznoch
Peggy and family…my thoughts and prayers will be for God to comfort you at this time. I have some good memories of my Uncle Don giving me some good advice, but also teasing me whenever we went to visit our Grandma Tillie when we were kids. I know that memories of my Uncle Don will help me through this time of loss. I wish the same for you, Peggy, and your family.
I’m sorry for your loss, but I’m glad for the gift God gave you in Don. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
I will miss Uncle Don…..Lots of good memories over the years. He always had good stories to tell !! Aunt Peg, John and I will be praying for you at this difficult time.
I never had the privilege of meeting Don in person; however, I feel as though I knew him through Peggy’s postings about him. Lennon’s “Imagine” surely seems to fit my image of Don! Wishing sweet Peggy and all of his family peace, comfort and healing.
Peggy, so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. My sincerest sympathy, Your cousin, Nancy
Dear Peggy was so sorry to hear of the passing of your husband Donald. We share your sorrow and keep you in our thoughts and prayers. May you and your family find comfort in knowing that he in is the comforting hands of God. God Bless you and your family. Love , Aunt Cleo and Joe
Peggy, so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. You two were a great couple and shared many wonderful years together. My condolences go out to you and all your family.
Dad, dear Dad, it has been three months and eight days since you left, and we need you back. If only you could return from the dead like Lazarus and walk back into our lives… I would give anything just to hold you one more time.
I echo what son Don just posted. It has been very difficult without you and oh, to hold you one more time! Everyone says at least you have wonderful memories to comfort you, but memories can’t give you that missed touch, kiss or feeling of being held in your arms. That need seems to never go away. Memories can only comfort you so much! Those other things as I said, will always be missed!
As a child, when I would play football, Dad would show up to every game. He came after work, and so he wore a suit. I remember that all the other kids were in awe of him because of this and they asked, “Whose Dad is he? He is so cool!” I was so proud and happy to be his child and I still am. My brother Matt and I would run to him when he came home from work, thrilled that he was home, shouting: “Daddy’s home! Daddy’s home!” He made every Christmas so special. He was always there for you and showered us with love and respect. Dad showed us what the true meaning of love is. I cannot imagine a better father or a better man.
Dear Peggy,
It is with deep remorse that I would send our sympathy and prayers over the passing of Don after all these years. Don and I were the best of friends in our single days. His mother Tillie treated me like a son. Don left the firm in Cleveland and joined his uncle’s restaurant in Monterrey. We visited the restaurant and met you in May 1970. We maintain our communication till 1884. Years earlier we attended marriage encounter meetings where you and Don were presenters. In years following we lost connections. It was looking at obits today of years back that I discovered what a beautiful family you had and how much Don loved all of you as you loved him. Today, we are back in Cleveland and my wife, Ann, is in a memory unit with Alzheimers and I have an apt in the same facility. We have Don and his family in our prayers and will have the Devine Mercy said in his honor. God Bless you and your family and may the eternal spirit of Don be always with you.
Our love and prayers,
Jim Delaney