Thomas Joseph Morris, 97, passed away Monday, August 4, 2025, at Savannah Square Retirement Community.

Born in Lima, PA, June 17, 1928, he had two brothers, William F. Morris and M. Patrick Morris and a sister, Marian M. Morris. His grandfathers' Patrick Morris and Michael Carbine were both from Ireland.

Tom joined Lima Fire Company, Lima, PA in 1945 where he served as a volunteer fireman, Assistant Engineer, Engineer, Assistant Chief, Chief, Chairman of Board of Directors. He held the position of Chief for twelve years. He started an ambulance service at the Lima Fire Company in 1970 serving as its first president. Tom became an EMT, along with his wife Teresa, daughter, Karen and son T.J. Morris, Jr. Tom facilitated Lima Fire Department in acquiring its first ambulance and Advance Life Support unit with matching funds from US Highway Safety Act and the local Lions Club. He was Chairman of the Building Committee to house the ambulance and expand the fire station to house two pumpers, a 100 foot ladder truck and a utility truck.

He was a Communicate of St. James Catholic Church and a member of the new Parishioners welcoming group.  In December of 2016 Tom moved to the Palmetto Inn at Savannah Square where he made more friends and affectionately became known as “Lepy” among the other residents and staff.  

Tom served in the US Army during the Korean War in the 11th Ordnance Corps from October 1950 to October 1952. He married his beautiful wife, Teresa Marie Hendricks, in 1951 who was a registered nurse from his hometown of Lima, PA. Teresa passed away in August 2006 after 55 years of marriage. They had three children, Karen T. Stone, Thomas J. (T.J.) Morris, Jr. and Sandy M. Campbell, five grandchildren Jesse Morris, Aaron Morris, Sarah Morris, Lewis Campbell, and Cory Campbell and two great grandchildren.

When transferred by Chrysler Corporation his employer to Allentown, PA, he became a volunteer fireman of the Wescosville Fire Department in Wescosville, PA a suburb of Allentown, PA.

Retiring to the Landings in 1994 he became a member of Southside Fire Department and a member of the Skidaway Island First Responders. He held the position of Captain of Water Supply for several years. Tom served as Treasurer of the Skidaway Fire Department and Secretary/Treasurer of the First Responders for twenty years.

Tom started his automotive career at Weatherhead Dodge in Lima, PA where he was employed for eleven years. He then joined Chrysler Corporation. During his 30 years with Chrysler, he worked in management in the Philadelphia, Orlando, New York and Atlanta Zones. For the last ten years of his corporate life, he was Southern Regional Manager covering the St. Louis, Cincinnati, Houston, Dallas, New Orleans, Memphis, Orlando, Atlanta and Charlotte Zones from his office in Atlanta. After his retirement in 1989, he worked part time as an Automotive Consultant for Chrysler running Vehicle Auctions throughout the south for sixteen years.

Tom was a member of the Landings Club on Skidaway Island where he enjoyed playing golf with his many friends.

He was a Communicate of St. James Catholic Church and a member of the new Parishioners welcoming group.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Monday, August 11, 2025, at Fox & Weeks, Hodgson Chapel.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at St. James Catholic Church.

Entombment will be in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens Mausoleum.

 A reception will be held at St. James Catholic Church following entombment.