George Edward Morris

Morris, George Edward, Jr., 97, of St. Petersburg, died Friday November 7, 2003 at Bay Pines Veteran?s Medical Center. Born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, he came here in 1954. After living in Tampa for several years as the head of the U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey now the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, he had several assignments, including one to Liberia. He was a U.S. Navy Veteran of WWII and a Commander of the U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey for the 16th Naval District. He graduated from South High School in Minneapolis, received a BS Degree in Civil Engineering in 1927 from the University of Minnesota, and a Masters in Education from the University of Florida. He was taken prisoner by the Japanese soon after WWII began and was not reunited with his family in Washington, DC until after the War was over. He was assigned to the vessel Hydrographer in Bayboro Harbor until his retirement in 1957. He was a member of the St. Petersburg Chapter of the Florida Society Sons of the American Revolution, where he was the President from 1972-1974. He was also President of the Florida Society and held a number of positions in both the State and National Society. He was a member of SAR, MOWW, was an Ex-POW, a member of The National Huguenot Society, Sons & Daughters of Pilgrims, was a Patron of the Children of the American Revolution, a member of the Power Squadron, St. Petersburg Yacht Club, Phi Delta Kappa International, Delta Kappa Pi, the Retired Officers Club of St. Petersburg, the American Defenders of Bataan & Corregidor, the American Society of Civil Engineers, The Hereditary Order of Descendants of the Loyalists and Patriots of the American Revolution, American Legion Post No. 125 in Gulfport, DAV Chapter No. 9 in St. Petersburg, the VFW in Washington, DC, and was a volunteer for 23 years at Bay Pines Medical Center, first as an Escort and most of his years in the Pharmacy, accumulating over 20, 000 hours of service. He was mentioned in the November 8, 1997 Congressional Record by C.W. ?Bill? Young for his volunteer services to the Bay Pines VA Medical Center. Survivors include a son, Scott Schroeder Morris of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; a daughter, Mary Ann Newlon of St. Petersburg; a brother, James T. Morris of St. Louis, Missouri; 7 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. Anderson-McQueen Funeral Homes & Cremation Tribute Center-Bobbitt Chapel.