Edward M. Morris

Edward M. Morris, LT Col USAF (Ret), age 90, passed away February 14, 2022 and went to be with his Lord in heaven.  Ed was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.  He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in North Little Rock where he practiced his devotion to God and his faith. He was born on April 17, 1931, in New York City.  After graduating from high school, he went onto earn a degree in agriculture from Cornell University.  Upon graduation, he joined the air force and persued his passion for aviation.  During his 20 years in the air force, he flew several different types of aircraft, but his favorite being the supersonic B-58.  He served two tours in Vietnam as well as many temporary assignments all over the world. 

During his assignment at Little Rock AFB, he was instrumental at starting an aero club, teaching private flying to hundreds of Air Force personnel.  After retiring from the air force, he went to work at Central Flying Service where he flew all types of aircraft and eventually became chief pilot.  At the age of 65, he left Central and started his own company, M&M Aviation.  During both his military career and general aviation career, flying over 40,000 hours, he earned several awards and certifications.  These included the Air Force Combat Readiness award, the FAA “Wright Brothers” Master pilot award, Arkansas Safety Counseler award, and was a member of the Quiet Birdmen aviation society, and the EAA.   He was active with the FAA all throughout Arkansas.  He was also instrumental in doing training in Mexico and starting a pilot proficiency program in Australia.  If you brought up aviation anywhere, his name was soon to follow.  After that, you probably either told a joke or heard a joke that originated with Ed, then learned something new about aviation.  There weren’t many airports in the state as well as nationally, that Ed hadn’t been to. 

Ed is survived by his wife of 68 years, Shirley, a brother, Larry (Deborah) of South Dakota, two sons, Bob “Slug” Morris of Cabot, John Morris (Brenda) of Vermont, two grandchildren, Melissa and Natalie of Vermont, three step grandchildren, Shelly, Stacy and Scott, and a host of friends, both on the ground and in the air. 

A memorial service will be held at Immaculate Conception Church at 10:00 AM, Monday, February 21, 2022.  Honorary Pallbearers will be, Roderick McQuillan, Eric McQuillan, Randy McQuillan William Peters, JR, David Morris, Warren Hollstrom, Rapheal Herrera Andes, Don Rowling.  Interment will follow, at a later date, at Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery in Hamburg, NY.

In lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Catholic High School for Boys Foundation, 3900 Father Tribou Drive, Little Rock, AR, 72205. Or, Immaculate Conception Church, 7000 JFK Blvd., NLR, AR 72116.

Arrangements by Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St, North Little Rock, AR 72114, 501-758-1170.--