The Very Reverend Fr. John W. Morris (Warren B. Morris, Jr. in secular life) passed away suddenly on the evening of Friday, January 15 ^th , 2021 at his home in Vicksburg. He is survived by his son, Matthew, his daughter Elizabeth, her husband Brian, and his granddaughter Maria Sophia.

Fr. John was born in Oklahoma City, OK in 1948. He got his Bachelor's at Oklahoma City University and studied at the University of Frankfurt in Germany as a Fulbright Scholar. He later earned a Ph.D. in history from OSU where he met his wife-to-be Cheryl. They moved to Austin, TX where they worked as professors and converted to the Orthodox Church. Fr. John decided to pursue the priesthood and received his Master of Theological Studies. He spent nearly 40 years serving proudly as an Antiochian Orthodox priest, most recently at St. George Church in Vicksburg. Fr. John travelled the country doing work with the Lutheran-Orthodox dialogue, served as a guest speaker at conventions, and went to the Philippines to train new priests.

In addition to his pastoral duties, he taught history courses at several colleges and universities. He is the author of a number of articles and six books dealing with German and Orthodox history and also provided footnotes and annotations to the Orthodox Study Bible .

His ultimate love in life was being a husband and father and more recently a grandfather. Under the guidance of and with the selfless love shown by Fr. John and Cheryl, their children learned the value of education, perseverance, and service to those in need. They are who they are today because of their parents and their unending devotion.

Please send flowers or donations to:

St. George Orthodox Church
2709 Washington Street.
Vicksburg, MS 39180