Rex Trow Morrison

Rex Trow Morrison age 89 , passed away Dec. 29, 2007 at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa, OK.

Funeral arrangements will be held 10:30 AM, Saturday, January 5, 2008 at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield, IA. Interment will be in Fell Cemetery in Libertyville. Visitation with the family will be held one hour prior to the service.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation .

Cards and memorials may be sent c/o:
107 Karadon Drive
Mahomet, IL 61853

The middle of three sons, Roger, Rex, and Richard, born to Bert William and Mae Belle (Trow) Morrison was born on December 29, 1918 at the family home in Libertyville, IA.

Rex began his life long occupation as a teacher in a rural one room schoolhouse in Van Buren Co. IA and met and married another district teacher, Frances Delpha (Heaton). They were married at the bride's parent's home June 26, 1939. The marriage was blessed with two children, Jon and Janet, before Frances died of toxemia in her 7th month of pregnancy August 15, 1946. Rex remarried to Doris Marjorie (Heston) of rural Libertyville, IA on July 3, 1947. To their family was added a daughter, Robina Mae.

Rex's US Navy service with the rank of Lieutenant jg was aboard the USS Libra supply ship for a marine company, seeing action in most of the Pacific theater during WWII. Honorably discharged January 19, 1946, he returned home to his family in Fort Madison, IA.

A short time later, he resumed his teaching career as a biology teacher and assistant basketball coach at Fairfield High School before moving to Des Moines, IA, earning a Master of Science degree in pharmacology at Drake University. Graduated first in his class, magna cum laude, he accepted an assistant professor teaching assignment at Drake. After two years at Drake, he resumed his first love of High School teaching as chemistry teacher as Des Moines Roosevelt High School.

In 1964, he and Doris moved to Rockaway, NJ, where they both taught. Before retiring from teaching in June 1983, he distinguished himself with numerous chemistry teaching awards and other professional honors, including the prestigious National Science Teacher of the year award.

Rex is survived by his wife Doris of Tulsa, OK, and his children and their families: Janet Wickett and husband Ken of Prairie City, IA, Robin Michaels-Johnson of Tulsa, OK, and Jon Morrison and wife Ann of Mahomet, IL. Rex has six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. An infant son, Chris Kent predeceased him.

Rex will be remembered by family, friends and students, especially for his great love of life, laughter and the pursuit of happiness in excellence. His smile and friendly demeanor endeared him to all who knew him. Family and friends celebrate his resurrected life in The Lord Jesus Christ and fond memories of his love and devotion to God and his fellow man. He will be greatly missed until we may join him in Christ, which was always his fervent prayer for all the Lord gave him to love.