Donald Franklin Morey

Donald Franklin Morey, age 94, of Paradise Valley, AZ, formerly of Murphysboro, Illinois passed away Wednesday, July 20, 2016 at his daughter’s home in Paradise Valley, AZ. He was born June 2, 1922 in Baltimore, MD to Ibra and Alice (White) Morey. Donald grew up at the Agricultural and Industrial School at Industry, New York, a juvenile detention facility for boys where his parents were employed. Alice was a house mother and Ibra was a machinist and shop teacher. Don loved the setting and the cottage dormitory named "Huron" where he and his parents lived with the boys. He spent summers in Harlowe, Ontario on his maternal grandparents' farm, where he learned to hunt, fish, milk the cows, bait the horses and hunt for dew-worms to sell to tourists. Don attended Scottsville Elementary and High School, where he claims to have learned some Latin, among other things, but remembers most vividly the exploits of boyhood--bicycle riding along the Genesee River, going to the library and eating banana splits at Losee's Drug Store. Don attended Chesbrough Seminary where he met Martha Ann Ballew from Georgia. He moved to Seattle Pacific College to continue his education, but he dropped out in order to report to Camp Robinson, Arkansas for medical training, and he shipped overseas to work as a laboratory technician in the medical laboratory unit of the 184th General Hospital, Mansfield England during WWII . After dealing with the wounded and casualties of D-Day, he responded to a call for volunteers for OCS, to replace those who had perished in the recent battles. He was assigned to the 19th Ordnance Battalion and was stationed in several places in Germany. When he came home, he and Martha Ann Ballew were married on September 5, 1946. Although Don enrolled at USC in a Philosophy Ph.D. program at the University of Southern California, he decided instead to enter the ministry. He served several Disciples of Christ congregations during his long career: Peachtree Christian Church in Atlanta, GA; Park Avenue Christian Church in NYC where he was ordained, Liberty Christian Church in Liberty Missouri, and Memorial Christian Church in Kansas City. He was a riveting preacher, although he irritated some congregants by insisting they consider social justice issues as part of their outlook. He described his duty as “To comfort the afflicted and to afflict the comfortable”. To keep his own spiritual balance, he enjoyed a variety of hobbies, including listening to classical music, bookbinding, collecting insects, studying philosophy, and bicycling. He achieved local fame one summer by taking a solo bicycle trip to Canada when he was 54 years old. Donald is survived by his wife of 70 years, Martha Ann, two daughters, Dr. Ann-Janine Morey of Harrisonburg, VA and her husband, Dr. Todd Hedinger; Dr. Noralane (Laney) Lindor of Phoenix, Arizona and her husband, Dr. Keith Lindor; and son Dr. Darcy Morey of Radford, Virginia. Beloved grandchildren are Dr. Rachel Lindor of Rochester, Minnesota, Mr. CJ Lindor of Minneapolis, MN, and great-grandson Theo Thornton Lindor; Ms. Lucia Morey of Fredericksburg, Virginia and Mr. Gabriel Morey of Alexandria, Virginia. He was preceded in death by his parents. The family will have a private remembrance service at a later date. As per Donald’s wishes he was cremated and a private family inurnment will also be held at a later date at Pleasant Grove Memorial Park in Murphysboro, IL. Memorials can be sent to the Southern Poverty Law Center. Crain Pleasant Grove-Murdale Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Donald Franklin Morey

June 2, 1922 - July 20, 2016