Joe C. Morris

Joe C. Morris, of Leawood Kansas, passed away on August 5th, 2018 at the age of 78. He was born August 21st, 1939 in Emporia, Kansas to Joe J. and Imogene Morris. He is survived by his wife, Susan; his three sons, Joe A. of Kansas City, David (Keri) of Denver and Scott (Minnie) of Orlando; and six grandchildren Joseph, Morgan, Jackson, Coleman, Walker and Chase; and his extended family at the Heritage of Overland Park. He was pre-deceased by his parents, sister Mary Gayle Ames and brother John R. Morris.

Joe was adored by his family, friends and colleagues. He was known to be a hard-working man of integrity with a gift of putting others at ease with his warm genuine smile and firm handshake. Joe was raised in Emporia where he would meet and later marry his high school sweetheart, Susan. They were married on July 1, 1961 and recently celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary. He attended the University of Kansas where he was a proud member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, from which he was later recognized as a Significant Sig. He graduated from the University of Kansas in 1961 with a bachelors degree in Business Administration "with highest distinction." He received the Alpha Kappa Psi Scholarship key for being the highest ranking senior in the School of Business. He was designated as a distinguished military graduate and served three years as an officer in the United States Air Force working in Hospital Administration. After his service in the military, he did graduate school work at Indiana University Graduate School of Business. Following his graduate work he and Susan returned to Emporia where he joined his father at Columbia Savings. He remained in Emporia for 25 years where he and his wife raised their three sons. In 1981 he and his family were honored by the Kansas Kiwanis Foundation as the Kansas Family of the Year. During this time, he also served as Chairman of the Kansas Savings and Loan League and later Chairman of the U.S. League of Savings Institutions. In 1988, Joe and his family moved to Kansas City where he continued to serve as Chairman of Western Financial Corporation.

After his career in banking, he shifted his focus to philanthropic and fundraising endeavors. He was a Trustee of the Kansas University Endowment Association, serving as a long time member of the Investment Committee. In 2006, he received The Fred Ellsworth Award for distinguished service to the University. From 2007-2008 he served as the National Chairman of the KU Alumni Association. He served on the Steering Committee on the "Far Above" capital campaign for the University of Kansas. He and Susan were Co-Chairs of The Heart Funding Council of the Cardiology Department of the University of Kansas Hospital. In addition, Joe was honored to serve on the Advancement Board at the University of Kansas Hospital and recently received status as an Emeritus Board Member.

Even though Joe loved to work for a cause, he loved his time on the golf course, loved fly fishing in a mountain stream, loved his time with his friends in Kansas Investors, loved following his Jayhawks and loved spending time with his family. Above all else, his greatest love was his wife Susan! Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, August 18th at 2:00 p.m. at Village Presbyterian Church, located at 6641 Mission Road, Prarie Village, Kansas where Joe served as an Elder and Usher for many years. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Kansas University Endowment Association, The University of Kansas Hospital Cardiology Department, The Alzheimer's Association-Heart of America Chapter or The Folds of Honor Foundation.