Wade Morrison

Wade Calvin Morrison, 77, of Midland, NC passed away Sunday, March 20, 2011 at Carolinas Medical Center - Union in Monroe, NC. Mr. Morrison was born on December 16, 1933 in Midland to the late Arthur Morrison and the late Carrie Gardner Morrison. Carol L. Morrison, Wade’s wife of 36 years preceded him in death in 2005. Mr. Morrison was also preceded in death by his brother, Larry Morrison. Visitation will be Wednesday, March 23rd from 6-8 pm at Hartsell Funeral Home in Midland. The Funeral will be held at Hartsell Funeral Home Chapel on Thursday, March 24th at 4:00 and burial will follow at Bethel United Methodist Church in Midland. Rev. Mark Clontz will officiate. His family will receive friends at his daughter Laura’s home at 12510 Holt Kay, Midland. Survivors are daughter, Laura M. Pennell and husband, Kevin of Midland, NC and son, Calvin M. Morrison and wife, JaNeen, of Indian Trail, NC. Mr. Morrison also left behind 5 grandchildren he adored and whom adored him. They are Holly Pennell, Emily Pennell, Matthew Pennell, Olivia Morrison, and Ryan Morrison. Mr. Morrison is survived by sisters Alice Linker of Mt. Pleasant, and Louise Owens of Charlotte, and brothers Tom Morrison and wife, Jeanette, of Midland and Oren Morrison and wife, Mary, of Oakboro. Marshall Little, Mr. Morrison’s father-in-Law survives him. He also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Mr. Morrison was a life long member of Bethel United Methodist Church in Midland. Until recent years, he attended regularly and was very active in the Methodist Men Program. He was a member of the S.R. McEachern Sunday School class. Favorite memories of his daughter include putting out the life-sized nativity scene with her Daddy and him singing “Amazing Grace” in a voice which made her know he really meant it. Mr. Morrison was active in the Midland Lions Club for years before they disbanded. He sold many brooms and light bulbs and cooked a lot of barbeque. He had routes to put up and take down flags on holidays. He enjoyed helping others in many ways. Mr. Morrison retired from the State Department of Transportation, where he was known as a great machine operator. While riding almost anywhere in Mecklenburg County, he could tell stories about bridges, ditches, and pipes he had dug with his backhoe. He also ran motor graders, pans, and other large equipment. Mr. Morrison spent weeks working in Florida after Hurricane Andrew and in Raleigh after several hurricanes there. He also had happy memories of working for Crowder’s Construction Company for a year in the mountains near Sparta, NC. Mr. Morrison loved spending time on the front porch of his house in the mountains. He loved his neighbors there. He loved seeing the change of leaves, rocking with a cool, mountain breeze, and talking with friends or family while the grandkids played in the yard. In his later years, Mr. Morrison enjoyed eating daily at CJ’s in Midland and Troutman’s Barbeque in Concord. He always loved Rocky River Fish Camp in Aquadale, NC. All these places held friends, memories, and good food. Mr. Morrison enjoyed being outside and took much pride in his yard. He spent hours mowing it and also mowed the yards of others. He raised goats for years. In years gone by, he had enjoyed rabbit hunting. He had a love for swimming that went back to his childhood when he would sneak off from working at his father’s sawmill to swim in the deep part of the creek with friends. He got the nickname “Gator” from swimming so much and for swimming below the surface of the water. He later enjoyed the pool at Monroe Aquatic Center when he walked and swam for his health. Children enjoyed his company. He enjoyed joking and playing with friends. He is remembered as a kind man with a good sense of humor. Memorials can be made to the Bethel United Methodist Church Building Fund at 12700 Idlebrook Rd, Midland, NC 28107. Hartsell Funeral Home, Midland, is serving the Morrison family. Online condolences may be made at www.hartsellfh.com.