Col. Earl J. Morris, Jr. (Retired)

Col. (Ret) Earl J. Morris Jr., 90, of Maumelle passed away March 31, 2023. He was born in Hickory Plains, AR to Earl J. Sr. and Louise Morris on June 27, 1932. Earl grew up in Searcy and Beebe. He loved being outdoors, especially if it included hunting, fishing, playing tennis or gardening. Earl graduated in 1950 as president of his class from Beebe High School.

After graduation, Earl tried dairy farming with his father and working on the railroad. He decided to change his career path when he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. Col. (Ret) Morris was a member of the Air Force for 28 and one-half years from August 1952 until February 1981.

Earl was a pre-cadet at Goodfellow AFB, Texas. He entered cadet training in June 1953, completing primary pilot training at Malden AFB, MO, basic pilot training at Williams AFB, AZ, and advanced pilot training at Mather AFB, CA. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1954 upon completion of the Aviation Cadet Program.

From 1954 to 1968 he was stationed at Ardmore AFB, OK; participated in the permanent change of station of the 509th Troop Carrier Group to Dreux AFB, France; completed KC-97 Combat Crew Training School (CCTS) at Randolph AFB, TX; was assigned to Little Rock AFB, Arkansas; and completed KC-135 CCTS at Castle AFB, CA.

During the Vietnam War, Earl was stationed at U-Tapao Airfield, Thailand where he served in various positions including Commander, 901st Air Refueling Squadron. From June 1974 to June 1978, he commanded the 407th Air Refueling Squadron, Loring AFB, ME; and served as Assistant Deputy Commander and Deputy Commander for maintenance for the 42nd Bomb Wing supervising 1,150 personnel. In June 1978 he became Deputy Commander for Maintenance, 2nd Bomb Wing, at Barksdale AFB, LA supervising 1,400 personnel.

Col. (Ret.) Morris was a command pilot with over 7,500 flying hours. His time was accumulated in the PA-18, T-6, T-28, T-33, T-29, C-119, C-123, KC-97 and KC-135 aircraft.

His military decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal with two Campaign Stars and the Vietnam Service Medal with one Campaign Star.

Earl later had a civilian career as Vice President and General Manager of Aero Corporation in Lake City, FL. In retirement he and his wife Wanda moved to Conway in 2000 and later to Maumelle, AR.

He is predeceased by his first wife Carolyn (Gilliam) Morris and his second wife Wanda (Hall) Morris, parents Earl, Sr. and Louise and sister Billie Jean Staples.

Earl is survived by his children Gloria Mayo (Mitch), Earl Morris III (Becky), Monica Keohane (Jeffery) and Matthew Morris (Caroline); 10 grandchildren, Max Mayo (Kelly), Zach Mayo (Rachel), Earl Morris IV, Robert Morris, Kendall Keohane, Shannon Keohane, Lauren Morris, Donovan Keohane, Jessica Morris, Bryan Morris; and three great grandchildren Charlotte, Aubrey and Miriam Mayo; sister Jackie Christnot and brother David (Phyllis).

Visitation will be 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at Smith-Westbrook Funeral Home, 404 W. Dewitt Henry Dr., Beebe, AR  72012.  Interment will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Park Cemetery, 1504 North J. P. Wright Loop Rd., Jacksonville, AR  72076.

To view the online registry, please visit www.smithfamilycares.com/westbrook.