Hershel "Babs" Elmer Morris

Hershel “Babs” Morris, 100, of Kanawha, passed away peacefully Thursday, April 19, 2012, at Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt surrounded by his family.

Funeral services for Hershel “Babs” Morris will be held on Monday, April 23, 2012, at 10:30 AM at the United Methodist Church in Kanawha with Pastor Tim Rieckhoff-Faris officiating. Burial will be at Amsterdam Township Cemetery in Kanawha.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 22, 2012, from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Ewing Funeral Home, 118 East Second Street, in Kanawha and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Monday.

Arriving on June 7, 1911, Babs was born in Missouri to Elmer and Lucile (Herron) Morris. Babs attended Kanawha High School where he excelled in football and track winning the state mile in 1931. Babs played in the last football game in 1931, and his son Jim played in the first game when football was once again played in 1959.

On June 16, 1933 he married Alma Jo Holm, and to this union three children were born: Philip, Rita and Jim. Babs was a member of the United Methodist Church in Kanawha, and enjoyed a Bible study with the men in Kanawha.

Babs served the Kanawha community for 30 years in the plumbing and heating business. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and trapping. He was a member of the Kanawha Fire Department for over 50 years and was Fire Chief for 30 years. Babs loved being a clown in the annual Labor Day Parade for many years.

Babs is survived by his daughter Rita (David) Thomson of Overland Park, Kansas; son Jim (Judy) Morris of Kanawha, daughter-in-law Mary Morris of Mason City; 7 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren; a step-grandchild; 4 step-great-grandchildren along with numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Elmer and Lucile Morris; wife Alma; son Philip; grandson Steven; and sisters: Audry, Bernice and Lavonne.

Babs’ life was a life well lived.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions to the Kanawha United Methodist Church or the Kanawha Fire Department.