Donald Kent Morphis
December 10, 1925 – October 27, 2015
Donald Kent Morphis was born December 10, 1925 in Hale, Colorado where his parents were sharecroppers. He was the 3rd child of proud parents Chester Iva Morphis and Anna Agnes (Simpson) Morphis and was reared in Hale until 1933 when his family moved to Winfield, Kansas.
Don worked as a resident helper on a dairy farm and later joined the Marine Corps serving in Saipan, Tinian and Okinawa. Returning to the States, he worked on oil rigs in Hayes, Kansas. Between these venues Don met his lovely bride, Roberta “Birdie” Belle Chisman. They were wed in Raton, New Mexico, May 10, 1947. (They eloped) Don returned to Colorado Springs to work with Birdie’s family at Chisman’s One Stop where he honed his skills as masterful mechanic with his father-in-law, Harold Chisman. He expanded his skills, installed trailer hitches for Chisman’s Trailer Sales and, at the age of 60, received his Associates Degree in Welding. After he retired from the mechanic/welding business in 1987, he worked for Hertz Car Rental until 2008, when he retired to spend his remaining days at home with Birdie. Don lived in Colorado Springs for 68 years where he enjoyed basketball and baseball in city leagues, bowling and especially hunting and fishing with family and friends.
Don considered himself a very blessed man having been the patriarch of a large family. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Roberta “Birdie” Belle (Chisman) Morphis; daughters: Donna Lynn Smiley (husband Dale), Susan Lea Hawk (husband Stephen), and Annabelle Comer; grandchildren: Dustin and Darren Smiley, Stephanie Medley, Stacey Kasper, Shawna Tripp, Sarah LaStar, Seth Hawk, Jason Comer, and Alyssa Legg; great-grandchildren: Amber, Krista, Trent and Logan Smiley, Mason, Duncan and Madylin Medley, Bayleigh and Genevieve Kasper, Alex and Zachary Tripp, Piper and Nolan Hawk and Lilia and Xavier LaStar, Layla and Audrey Comer, Annabelle, Aurora and Oryn Legg; brother, Chester Eldon Morphis; and sister, Betty Anne Montgomery.
He is sorely missed by hosts of family members and friends to whom he has always been a pillar of generosity and kindness. He stood out as an example of integrity, honor and loyalty – a great and mighty warrior – gentle giant. He loved and was a follower of Jesus Christ. He is certainly welcomed home.
A visitation for Don “Fuzzy” Morphis will be held from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on November 3, 2015 at Shrine of Remembrance Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held November 4, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Village Seven Presbyterian Church, 4040 Nonchalant Circle South, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80917.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Deacons’ Fund at the Village Seven Presbyterian Church.