Jerry Morris

Jerry Lee Morris, 84, of McKinney, Texas was born November 4, 1939, in Gas City, Indiana to the late Thomas Marshall and Ethel (Benbow) Morris and went to be with the Lord November 25, 2023, after an admirable battle with cancer.

Jerry was a lifelong lover of sports as well as being known as one of the “Morris Boys” of Gas City.  He excelled early in life like many a Hoosier, in basketball.  Once settled in Texas, Jerry could be found rooting for the Dallas Cowboys and the UTEP Miners.   Life truly began at age 26 when Jerry accepted Christ at New Hope Baptist Church in Gas City.

Shortly after, God called him to be a missionary to Spanish speaking people.  He graduated from Taylor University in 1971 with a Bachelor of Arts. He was an ordained Baptist minister as well as missionary.  The first stop to the mission field was the Rio Grande Bible Institute and then Back to the Bible in Mexico City.  Jerry focused his efforts serving in the El Paso, Texas & Juarez, Mexico area.  He was burdened to establish a school, church and Bible institute in West Texas.  Through his leadership and the diligence of many volunteer groups, work was completed, and the vision was made a reality impacting many for the Kingdom.

Jerry’s absolute and intense burden for the lost and wayward was demonstrated through Mentoring, Bible studies, AWANA clubs, ESL programs, bus ministries, preaching and counseling.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 65 years Rita Kay (Briles) Morris, son Tyler Morris and his wife Janice of Indiana, daughter Terri Lynn Petroni and husband Albert of Texas, daughter Sherri Lee Hall and her husband Tim of Texas and daughter Kerri Kay Thompson and her husband Edward of Texas, 9 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, 2 sisters and a brother as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, 4 sisters and a brother.

There will be a memorial service to celebrate Jerry’s life at 2:00 p.m., Friday, December 1, 2023, at Hunters Glen Baptist Church in Plano, Texas with Pastor Ben Frendson officiating.  Family will greet friends prior to the service at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital at: https://www.stjude.org/donate

There will also be an additional memorial service on June 15, 2024, at 10:30am, at New Hope Baptist Church, 800 E South C Street, Gas City, Indiana, 46933. The family will receive visitors beginning at 9:30am.