Ronald Wayne Morrison Sr.

NEW BUFFALO, Mich. - Ronald Wayne Morrison Sr., 88, formerly of New Buffalo, died peacefully with his family surrounding him after a long illness on Thursday, July 18, 2018.

Ron was born in Sault Ste. Marie, on August 31, 1929, the son of Dewey and Esther (Quinnell) Morrison of Pickford. As a youngster, he roamed the streets of Pickford with his faithful dog, Bob, which he sold to the local banker once a week for a nickel to buy candy. When the banker said "I just bought that dog last week," Ron just shrugged and said "I can't help it if he follows me home." He attended Pickford Schools through the 9th grade, his parents then moved to Sault Ste. Marie. He was a 1947 graduate of "Soo High."

He was given a four-year deferment from the Korean War to attend college. Ron attended Northern Michigan University. In his senior year, he married Joan Ann Nystrom of Bessemer, before entering the Marine Corps. He spent his training at the Marine Corps Depot in San Diego, and stayed there for schooling and training to be a telephone repairman. He finished his Marine Corp duties at Cherry Point, N. C. He then returned to Northern Michigan University to finish his teaching degree.

Ron's first teaching job was in Kingsley, Michigan. After two years, he accepted a position to teach and coach in New Buffalo, Michigan, where he spent the next 32 years. In 1963, his basketball team won the Class C State Basketball Tournament defeating Houghton 59-58, in what, at the time, was considered the greatest come-back in Class C Tournament history. Trailing by 14 points late in the 4th quarter, they rallied to win the championship. Ron was named Class C Coach of the Year. During the summers of 1962 and 1963, he returned to Northern Michigan University and earned a Master's Degree in Guidance and Counseling. In 1964, he was given a position in the guidance office. After three years, he was asked to apply for the high school principal job. He did and was accepted. He spent the next thirteen years as the junior/senior high school Principal.

In 1977, he was in a near fatal car accident. Because of the slow recovery time, he left the principal office and returned to the guidance office, where he stayed until his retirement in 1986. Ron and his wife, Joan, retired to their cottage on beautiful Lake Gogebic in the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan. They purchased a small motel with a bait shop and two gas pumps within walking distance of the cottage. When his wife passed away, he ran the business with the help of his daughters for two more years before selling. He then moved to the cottage where he spent his summers and moving to live with a daughter in the winter months.

Ron is survived by four daughters, Julianne Sheldon of New Buffalo, Lily (Robert) Marx of Whitehall, Ann Morrison of Bruce Crossing, Marilee (James) Roth of Bridgman; one son, Ronald Morrison, Jr. of Arizona; twelve grandchildren, Monique (Brian) Schilling, Shelby (Patrick) Schweri, Ryan (Claudia) Ballard, Dewey (Beth) Morrison, Allyson (Jim) Tregillis, Scott Shelby, Adam Wrzos, Jenna Roth, Lisa Roth, Rebecca Roth, Robert Roth, and Matthew Shawley; eight great-grandchildren, Jourdynn Terry, Regina Terry, Zachary Terry, Nathan Schweri, Topher Schweri, Lillian Schweri, Isabelle Tregillis, Jacob Tregillis, Arianna Short, Scarlett Shawley; and one great-great grandson, Denny Short. Also surviving is one brother, Glenn (Arlene) Morrison of Minocqua, Wisc.

He was preceded in death by his wife Joan; two brothers, Bernard Morrison who was killed in action in World War II and Webster Morrison of Pickford; and one daughter, Roberta (Kenneth) Shelby of Felch.

A Celebration of Life service will be on Thursday, July 26, at 2 p.m., at the Episcopal Church of the Mediator, 14280 Red Arrow Highway, Harbert, with the Reverends Paula Durren and Lily Marx officiating. Visiting with the family will precede the service from 1-2 p.m. at the church. Ron's final place of rest will be at the Hillside Cemetery in Bruce Crossing (tentatively Thursday, Aug 2).

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Friends wishing to leave the family a message of condolence may do so at sommerfeldchapel.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Sommerfeld Chapel – 15 N. Barton St., New Buffalo, MI.