Obituary for John O. "Pop the Cop" Morris

John Owen Morris was born on March 21, 1946 in Brookhaven, Mississippi to the late George Henry and Maudie Rheushell (Owen) Morris. He went to see the Lord December 8, 2020. John passed away after a brief illness and complications from the COVID virus.

After graduating from high school, John enlisted in the Navy at 19 years of age in 1965.  While in the Navy, John fought with the Marine Corp during the Vietnam War and was Honorably Discharged in 1969.  While serving his country, John received several honors including; National Defense Service Medal , Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze stars (representing the two campaigns that he served overseas fighting) and Fleet Marine Force (FMF) Device which is issued to Navy personnel who were assigned to a Marine Corp unit during wartime, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with date device (issued by the South Vietnamese Government for the United States soldiers for their efforts in helping and a device to show date), a Combat Action Ribbon (awarded to United States sea service members  who have actively participated in ground or surface combat) and the Presidential Unit Citation (issued to a unit that displays an act of heroism during wartime).  After serving his country, John attended the Police Academy in Shreveport, LA and served the citizens of Shreveport from March 1972 through April 1999, at which time John retired as a Lieutenant.  After retiring, John and Wanda moved to Springhill, LA to care for Wanda's father and have lived there until John passed away.

John is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Jimmy Wayne Morris, Robert Morris and Walter Morris; sisters, Bobbie Rogers, Sheila Formby, Faye Brown, Pauline Hickman and Joyce Smith.

John is survived by his wife Wanda Morris, their 3 children; Lynn and her husband Wendell Perritt of Magnolia, AR,  CeCelia and her husband Doug Barnard of Longview, TX and John Morris, Jr. of Bossier City, LA.  Grandchildren; Christopher Nichols, Connor Nichols, Tyler Barnard, Miranda Gray, Cameron Nichols and great grandchildren; Preston, Parker and Paxton Nichols.  Also, John's brother Jack I. Morris of Prairieville, LA and sister Mary Nations of Raymond, MS; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

A private, family memorial service will be held due to current COVID restrictions and the family's wishes. They would like to thank all the nurses and support staff at Springhill Medical Center and Claiborne Memorial Medical Center for their love and kindness shown in his final hours. A "Celebration of Life" memorial service will be held at a later date when we can all "Hug and Cry together".

In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial donation to: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN  38105 or donors@stjude.org.