Page 4 - Florida Sentinel 6-28-18

Local
‘Handsome’ Harry Morris Dies After Extended Illness
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
Known throughout the Tampa Bay area as Harry “Handsome Harry,” Mor- ris died after an extended ill- ness. He was 91-years old.
Morris passed away shortly after noon on Wednes- day, June 27, 2018. He had been a resident of Whispering Oaks facility for several years.
Mrs. Lucille Morris, his wife of 60 years, said the staffers there loved him as much as the family.
Morris was born January 17, 1927 in Clearwater. He spent his primer years at St. Peter Claver Catholic School. His following years were spent at Booker T. Washington, Mid- dleton, and when Don Thomp- son Vocational School opened, he became a devoted Yellow Jacket. Morris played on their first basketball team and be- came the first All-State Basket- ball Player in Hillsborough County. He graduated in 1946.
Morris enlisted in the U. S. Army in 1948 and was hon- orably discharged after 4 years. He studied and excelled in Pharmacy while getting mili- tary training. Mrs. Morris says he often talked about memorable experiences, even though there were attempts to discourage him. He set up a Pharmacy Lab in the Percy Jones Hospital in Battlecreek, Michigan.
Being a basketball fanatic, Morris played on the Army team.
After his military career, Morris headed to Philadel- phia to pursue a career in Phar- macy. Before leaving he headed to Daytona to say hello and good-bye to 2 good friends. They encouraged him to give Cookman a try for 1 year and the rest is history.
MR. AND MRS. HARRY (LUCILLE) MORRIS ... “Handsome Harry”
“The G-I Bill afforded him the opportunity to finish his education. He made history and paved the way for so many Bethune-Cookman College stu- dents, by becoming the first student waiter at a local restau- rant.” Morris graduated from Bethune-Cookman in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science De- gree.
Morris dedicated his life to strengthening and empow- ering the minds of students. Because of his dedication, a number of students know how to navigate the highways as he was a Drivers’ Education In- structor in Hillsborough County for more than 35 years.
He earned his Master’s of Education in Administration and Supervision from FAMU in 1975.
Morris was involved in and was a member of a number organizations. He received nu- merous awards.
In addition to his wife, Morris is survived by 2 sons: Harry, Jr. (Debra) and Michael; grandchildren and other family members and friends.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete, however, Wilson Funeral Home will handle the services.
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