John William Morrisset passed into the arms of God on July 13, 2008. John is survived by Elizabeth Morrisset, his wife of 57 years and by his three daughters, Louise, Nancy and Brenda. John was a decorated veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, a successful local businessman and was recognized as a leader in community service activities in San Marcos.
Born October 23, 1931 in Lubbock, Texas to L. B. and Anita Morrisset, John was the youngest of three boys and graduated from Lubbock High School in May 1950. Missionaries from Korea spoke at the church where John attended and told how desperately the Koreans needed our help. John enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps August, 1950. His older brother, Wendell, was a USMC Captain serving on the USS Midway in the Mediterranean and his young girl friend suggested that he might want to join the Marine Corps and “grow up”. John and Elizabeth (Beth) Wileman Morrisset were married Dec. 3, 1950 during his Boot Camp leave.
He served in Korea (D Co., 2nd Bn, 7th Regiment, 1st Marine Division) close to the 38th Parallel. His unit went into reserve 4 May 1951 after the Regimental doctors told the Corps CO that the 7th was no longer physically fit for line duty, 63 days on the line. They were evacuated to Huachon to Easy Medical Co. “Over half of what was left of Dog Company turned into sick bay. When they relieved us, we were looking at the Huachon Reservoir.” They were to return to the lines after 3 or 4 days.
Morrisset was awarded the Purple Heart for concussion and shrapnel injuries incurred after being blown out of his foxhole 14 June 1951. Patched up by a MASH unit, he returned to duty. Called to Red Cross headquarters and told of his father’s critical illness he was sent home. After a short leave with his parents, he received a hardship transfer to NAS, Corpus Christi, Texas as his father was still in critical condition. It was thought (not verified) that his unit was wiped out after he left Korea. The Korean Service w/3*, UN Medal; Purple Heart Medal, MC Good Conduct Medal 1st Award; National Defense service Ribbon; and the Korean PUC are listed on his DD214.
He was discharged in Corpus Christi and re-enlisted January 30, 1953 in the USMC Reserves. He was transferred to the Inspector & Instructor Staff, 40th Special Infantry Co, USMCR, Lubbock on the Texas Technological College campus working with reserves. He was Honorably Discharged January 29, 1956 in Lubbock, Texas having attained the rank of Staff Sergeant.
After his discharge, John attended Texas Tech and graduated in Jan. 1960 with his proud wife and two older children present. Upon graduation he accepted a position with General Mills in Wichita Falls, Texas and later with Humble Oil and Refining in Fort Worth, Texas as a supervisor of Humble service stations in 1962. Humble, later Enco, transferred John to Austin, Texas in Nov. of 1966. Enco transferred John to Houston in 1970 to supervise Car Care Centers. Enco became Exxon.
Because of a desire to be self-employed, John and Beth purchased “Accents in Fashion” a clothing store on the north side of the courthouse square in San Marcos in September of 1972 operating that store until the repeal of the “blue law” in 1983. After selling Accents in Fashion, he built two houses in Spring River Estates. The recession necessitated leaving the building industry. John worked for Gary Job Corps as a recruiter/screener and public information specialist. He retired from that position in January of 1997.
As a youth, John was an active Boy Scout, earning Eagle Scout rank. John continued serving youth as an adult becoming the Scoutmaster of Boy Scout troops in Wichita Falls, Fort Worth, Tyler, Austin, and San Marcos. As a Scoutmaster, John earned the Wood Badge award for adult leadership in Scouting. John’s leadership example in Scouting has continued by the grandsons who are also Eagle Scouts.
John was a pillar of the San Marcos Lions Club, joining Lions in 1973 and keeping perfect attendance for 35 years. John, with his wife Beth, organized the San Marcos Lioness Club in 1984 and he was Club Liaison until the Lioness Club became Bluebonnet Lions Club. John served as the Lions Club region chair and twice as zone chair. John was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellow in 1993, the highest award to be given, by the Bluebonnet Lions Club. In June of 2008, he was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellow by his own club. He was informed of the award shortly before his death.
John and Beth, along with Jodie Polk, reactivated the local Salvation Anny office and John worked as Chair of the committee for about three years. John and Beth particularly encouraged local volunteers to ring the bells at the “red kettles” for Christmas fund-raising. In 2003 he was awarded the Harry Reasonover Award by District 2S-3 for outstanding service, the highest award in the district.
John served as chair of the San Marcos Downtown Revitalization Program under Mayor Emmie Craddock and was appointed to chair the first San Marcos Master Plan Development Committee. John served on the Chamber of Commerce, was active in the early years of Chilympiad. He recently resigned from the Parks Board because of ill health. In 2007 John and Beth received the “Spirit of San Marcos Award” recognizing their community leadership in the San Marcos Area.
His wife of 57 years, Elizabeth Morrisset and by his three daughters, Louise, Nancy, and Brenda survives John. His two brothers, M. WENDELL, and Leslie M. Morrisset of California and their families also survive him. Both his mother and father predeceased John.