Mr. Ralph Davenport Morris Jr.

Ralph Davenport Morris, Jr., age 84, died peacefully on Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at his Asheville home. A veteran of the US Army Air Corp and US Navy, Ralph was born on June 23, 1927 in Rock Hill, South Carolina and was the son of the late Ralph Davenport Morris, Sr. and Annie Jo Peterson Morris. He graduated from Lee H. Edwards High School in 1944 and earned a B.S. in Commerce from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1949. That year, he began his lifelong career at Stuart Nye Hand Wrought Jewelry. Ralph was dedicated to his business and considered his employees like family With intellect and wit, Ralph served his community throughout his life. He was given the Distinguished Service Award by the Asheville Jaycees in 1959. He was a member of the Asheville Transit Authority Board (1969-1971), Asheville Rotary Club (President 1959-1960), Asheville City Council (1971-1981, Vice-Mayor 1979-1981), Asheville Water Authority Board (Chairman, 1981-1991), ABC Board (Chairman, 1997-2002), and First Step Farm Board since 1979. Ralph served on the board of the Southern Highland Craft Guild in the late sixties, and was named a Life Member in 2007. When Ralph finished his work on the city council, Barbara Blake of the Asheville Citizen-Times wrote, “Morris’ matter-of-fact demeanor rarely cracked. When controversies raged, heads would turn toward the silver-haired councilman who had an anecdote for every crisis, a solution for every dilemma. At the very least, Morris could be counted on to provoke a chuckle regardless of the seriousness of the issue, to offer levity as an alternative to panic.” Ralph carried a message of hope and recovery as a volunteer at Craggy Prison from 1988-2010. Ralph is survived by his wife, Judy Bogle Morris; sons Ralph D. Morris, III, of Greensboro, John Morris and wife Linda of Cary, Joe Morris and wife Leslie of Asheville; grandchildren Meghan, Christopher, Benjamin, Jessica, Jack and Michael. He is also survived by the mother of his children, Betty F. Morris. A graveside service will be held 10:00 AM, Saturday, January 21, 2012 at Riverside Cemetery followed by a memorial service at 11:00 AM at Grace Episcopal Church, 871 Merrimon Avenue. The Rev. Gary Coffey will officiate. A gathering for family and friends will begin at 12:30 PM at Morris Funeral Home, 304 Merrimon Avenue. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of choice.

Tributes

Mr. Ralph Davenport Morris Jr.

June 23, 1927 - January 17, 2012