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West Plains, MO Location (417) 256-4141

Thayer, MO Location (417) 264-7242

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Donley Morrison

Preston Donley Morrison, son of the late Lloyd Morrison and Gertrude Hunt Morrison, was born on June 27, 1946, in Springfield Missouri. He passed from this world on January 6, 2018, at the age of 71 years.

He graduated from West Plains High School with the Class of 1964. After graduating he joined the United States Coast Guard. While stationed at Sabine Pass, Texas, he met the love of his life, Darlene Rabe. They were married in Port Arthur, Texas on August 21, 1971. After his Coast Guard service, he returned to his home in West Plains, Missouri and joined the family business of Morrison Lumber. Throughout the years, he worked with his father, Lloyd, mother, Gertrude, and brother Rayburn until the closing and his retirement from the lumber business in November 2013, after 48 years. While there he helped and made many friends in the area. He served 3 terms on the Richards R-5 school board and was very proud of his district. Donley enjoyed working on his farm, tending to his cattle and selling small square bales of hay to many in the area. He loved being “Grampy” to his three grandchildren, making homemade ice cream for family events, taking the time to enjoy his boat on Lake Norfork and getting together with his “old classmates” every Thursday. He was a member of the West 160 Church of Christ.

He is survived by his wife, Darlene Morrison of the family home; two children Dr. Brian Morrison and wife Jodi, of West Plains, Holly Neill and husband, Eric, of Springfield, Missouri; three grandchildren, Afton Morrison, Leif Neill, and Alec Morrison; one brother Rayburn Morrison and wife Cynthia; and numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, infant brother and sister, father-in-law, Andrew Rabe, and mother-in-law, Carolyn Rabe.

Services with be held on Wednesday, January 10th, 7:00 p.m., at Carter’s Funeral Home in West Plains, Mo. Graveside and military honors will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 11th, at Smith Chapel Cemetery, Zanoni, Missouri.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Smith Chapel Cemetery, the Donley Morrison Endowment Fund for Richards Early Childhood Center, or the US Coast Guard Auxillary.

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5 Comments

  1. Susan Haverfield, FSO-FN
    January 9, 2018 @ 10:33 am

    It is with great regret that we heard that past U.S. Coast Guard Member Donley Morrison past the bar this past Saturday. He and his family loved their boat at Henderson Marina and family experiences on Norfork Lake in Arkansas throughout many years.We are grateful that he remembered the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. We send our regrets and prayers to the family.
    Twin Lakes Flotilla
    PO Box 49
    Lakeview, AR 72642

  2. Mike and Diana Pace
    January 9, 2018 @ 10:51 am

    We are very sorry. Keeping the family in our thoughts and prayers.

  3. Ron and Karla Frey
    January 10, 2018 @ 5:01 pm

    We are so sorry for your loss of Donley. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

  4. Randon Frey
    January 10, 2018 @ 6:13 pm

    Please accept our deepest condolences for your loss.

    The Frey Family

  5. Barbara Cook
    January 11, 2018 @ 12:52 pm

    So very sorry and shocked to hear the sad news of Donley’s passing. May God so richly hold you tight and let you know Donley is sale in his arms. I’m sorry I was unableto attend but I am in the hospital at this time.I love you family.