Francis Edwin Morrissey

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Francis “Frank” Edwin Morrissey on September 10, 2025. Though he has departed from this world, his memory will continue to live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. Frank was born on November 23, 1931, and raised in Shawnee, Kansas. He later moved to Maryville, Missouri, where he graduated from Maryville High School in 1950. After graduation, Frank enlisted in the United States Air Force in January 1951. He was stationed in Biloxi, Mississippi; Reno, Nevada; and Okinawa, Japan, before completing his service in Sumter, South Carolina, in 1955. He then attended Pittsburg State University, graduating in 1958. On November 26, 1959, he married Mary Elizabeth Buser. Frank continued his education at Wichita State University, earning a master’s degree in education in 1963.Frank dedicated his life to education. He taught for eight years in Andale, Kansas, and later became principal of Garden Plain High School, also in Kansas. In 1968, Frank and his family moved to Aberdeen, Washington, where he served as Assistant Principal at Aberdeen High School for 23 years. He was an active member of the Washington Education Association, the National Education Association, and the National Association of Secondary School Principals. Outside of his career, Frank was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed working in his vegetable garden, taking walks and hikes, and spending three summers as a Park Ranger at Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota. He was also a devoted reader and traveler. After his retirement in 1991, he and Mary Beth enjoyed wintering in Palm Springs, California, and Surprise, Arizona. Frank was a parishioner at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lacey, Washington. Frank is survived by his sister, Mary West; his son, Patrick Sean Morrissey; his daughters, Maureen (Brett) Cowan, Beth (Chris) Shrope, and Kathy (Jeff) Randich. He is also survived by seven grandchildren—Ryan (Abby) Cowan, Brandon Cowan, Connor Cowan, Kyle Shrope, Jenna Randich, Meghan Shrope, and Jacob Randich—and three great-grandchildren: James Cowan, Iris Cowan, and Meara Cowan. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary Elizabeth Morrissey; his sister, Eileen Ruttinger; and his brothers, James Morrissey and Phillip Morrissey. The family asks that any memorials be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Lacey, Washington, or Aberdeen High School in Aberdeen, Washington