Roll Call Tribute

Robert C. Morris, Jr., Col. USAF (Ret) 

July 29, 1920 - October 8, 2013 

Robert Carlock Morris, Jr. was born in Winnsboro, Texas to Robert William Morris, Sr. and Mary Lenna Smith on January 29, 1920.

He graduated from Winnsboro High School, then attended Texas A & M University for 2.5 years before leaving to become an Army Air cadet; graduating in January of 1942. After graduation, his first assignment was delivering B17's to modification plants and Air Force Bases from Boeing. From there, he was assigned to Gore Field for the 7th Ferrying Group to fly planes in the Land Lease to Russians in Northern Alaska. He transferred to CBI where he was stationed for 18 months, flying 144 missions over the "Hump" delivering supplies through Japanese-held territories and bringing Chinese back to work on the Burma Road. 

He returned to Gore Air Field, a 23 year old major, where he met and married Patricia Romsa, a Western Airline stewardess. They were married at St. Ann's Cathedral in January 1945, a marriage of 68 wonderful years.

After the war, he received orders to Washington D.C. at Dulles Airport. Shortly thereafter, he was given a regular commission and enrolled at Command School at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He was assigned as a commander at Lages Field in the Azores for three years, followed by a tour at Biggs Field in El Paso, Texas, where his son, Robert Carlock Morris, III was born. He was then assigned to Eighth Air Force Base HQ in Fort Worth as chief of logistics and a promotion to lieutenant colonel. From there he went to Washington and Tokyo with U.N. Headquarters flying covert missions during the Korean War.

He returned to Washington with assignments and B47 (six-engine jet bomber) training. He was assigned to a command position at Mountain Home, Idaho; then onto SAC Headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska in war plans, where he was promoted to full colonel. He also received a B.A. at the University of Nebraska in Omaha. His final assignment was Davis Monthan AFB in Tucson, Arizona as B47 commander.

During his military career, he was decorated with Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, three Air Medals, three Presidential Citations, along with numerous other combat and non-combat medals. He was certified to fly 51 different military aircraft during his career.

Colonel Morris retired to the east shore of Flathead Lake, buying a small cattle ranch at St. Ignatius. He was owner of Big Fork Realty with Lt. Col. Lloyd Russell (Realtor). He became president of the Lake County Board of Realtors and was a 12-year member of the Million Dollar Club of Manano.

He and Patricia then moved to the north shore of Flathead Lake in Bigfork. After re-retiring, they became snowbirds; wintering in the southwestern states and traveling around the world together. They moved to San Antonio for five years before moving back to Helena to be closer to family. Col. Morris belonged to numerous fraternal organizations; Order of Daedalians, Air Force Association, Sons of the Republic of Texas, Elks, Hump Pilots Association, Lions Club and Seventh Ferry Group Association.

Colonel Robert C. Morris, Jr. is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Patricia (Romsa) Morris, his son, Robert C. Morris, III, daughter in law, Noreen, three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Colonel Morris was cremated, and his ashes were interred in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.