Morris F. Johnson III, 64, died in San Antonio, Texas, November 18, 2013, ater a courageous struggle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), more commonly known as Lou Gehrig"s disease. Morris was born December 9, 1948 in Jersey City, New Jersey, the beloved son of Morris F. Johnson Jr. and Willie Mae (Hodge) Johnson. Morris attended the public schools in Jersey City, graduating from Snyder High School in 1968. He graduated with a BA in sociology from Dubuque College, Dubuque, Iowa and received a Masters in Social Work from the University of Iowa, Iowa City.
Morris was a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and was fondly known as Billy D. Hollywood because of this style and resemblance to actor Billy D. Williams. Morris loved life and lived life. He was fun loving and had a circle of friends who shared his love and optimism of life. He was devoted to the National Council on Black American Affairs and the American Association of Community Colleges. He travelled internationally most notably in China, and the Caribbean.
Morris served as President of St. Louis Community College, Forest Park, St. Louis, Missouri, Vice President, Student Affairs and Interim President at Phoenix College, Phoenix, Arizona, and Associate Dean of Student Services at the Des Moines Area Community College, Urban Campus. While in Iowa and Arizona he served on vaious State Commissions and local boards and was active in the community. He attended church faithfully at Mount Olive Baptist Church , Des Moines, Iowa, First Institutional Baptist Church, Phoenix, Arizona and Central Baptist Church, St. Louis, Missouri.
He leaves behind a son Grant Harrison of Phoenix, Arizona and stepdaughter Tausha Robertson of Austin, Texas, four Sisters Karen Johnson, Elisa Johnson, Winifred Johnson Mitchell, and Olivia Johnson, nephew Darren Leon James II, great aunt Edythe Jackson and a host of extended family members and friends.
The family thanks the staff and medical team of the ALS Clinic at the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio and the staff of the Texas ALS Asociation for the wonderful compassionate care they povided during his fight with ALS. Memorials gifts may be directed to the ALS Foundation http:/www.alsa.org/donate/
Tributes
Leave a tributeContinue to be my watchful angel and keep me safe. Until we meet again big brother. We love you dearly.
Elisa
Your sis Elisa
Love you and miss you.
Elisa
I still see him in my dreams. And sometimes, I smell that cucumber melon or white tea & ginger scent...and I know he's become an angel.
Everyone at Phoenix College enjoyed his sense of humor and his
positive attitude.
we all benefited by knowing Morris Johnson.
John Mercer
Morris Quotes:
"MacDaddy Mo"
"You want a Koolaid Life or a Champagne Life?"
" See you later Morris- in a different place and a different time. God bless you and your family."
Linda Kurth, Phoenix College Faculty (1984-2007)
Over the last two years, I watched him deal will his disease with humor, courage,curiosity and faith. Although each month a decline in his muscle strength and physical abilities was evident, he did not wallow in self pity, instead he would tease and joke. Often when answering his phone he would say "Popeyes' Chicken....do you want a slap happy meal?'' When the San Antonio Spurs lost the NBA Finals to the Miami Heat he began wearing the Miami Heat NBA Champions Tee Shirt and Cap to his doctors' appointment. As the medical staff (all avid Spurs fans) looked askance at his attire Morris would gleefully remark "what's the matter, you can't stand the Heat --neither could the Spurs." Five days before he died he had an ALS Clinic appointment. While he was demonstrating his walking ability for the physical therapist he did an exaggerated swagger with a runway turn and stated "I still got dip in my hip, pep in my step and glide in my stride".
I was blessed these last two years to have the opportunity to reconnect with my little brother and am thankful for the man he became. As I speak with friends and colleagues since Morris died, I am impressed by the depth of feelings expressed. Morris was a positive change agent in many lives, he made a difference and for that I am forever grateful..
As a sister, my prospective of Morris has been enriched by the stories his friends and colleagues have shared. It is my hope that this online memorial will continue that enrichment.
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Leave a Tribute
Continue to be my watchful angel and keep me safe. Until we meet again big brother. We love you dearly.
Elisa
Your sis Elisa
Happy Birthday big Brother
Happy fifth Birthday in Heaven. I miss my only brother so much. I will think of you at each snow storm.
Our snowy days
It has been five years since you have passed, seems like only yesterday when I last spoke to you. As It snowed here in New Jersey a couple of days ago. I thought about you taking me to school on those very snowy days. And how I would look up at you and ask how am going to get over those huge snow banks. You would look down at me and smile, and scoop me up under one arm and scoop my sister Winnie up with the other arm. I thought wow he is so strong.