Harry Lee Morrow

Harry Lee Morrow, Sr., 77, of New Philadelphia, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Friday, April 18, 2014 in Aultman Hospital after a brief illness.

He was born at Roebuck, South Carolina, on August 22, 1936. Harry attended school in Spartanburg, often lamenting an education that was cut short to help support his family. He thought the measure of being a man was taking care of his family. Thus, despite his lack of formal education, Harry became a self-made individual, his success fueled by a strong work ethic, ingenuity, and integrity which allowed him to support his wife, children, and grandchildren.

Harry moved to Dover as a teenager, and on New Year’s Eve of 1959 married the love of his life, Madeline E. Dalton, formerly of Zanesville, with whom he celebrated 54 years of marriage last year. By 1968, the couple would have three sons, and the birth of a daughter in 1976 put the icing on Harry’s familial cake.

But Harry possessed a deep, devoted love for all of his children, as evidenced by a nurturing nature that ran counter to conventional roles: preparing meals, polishing shoes for Sunday service, even substituting as advisor for his daughter’s cheerleading team – whatever they needed, no task was too great or beyond his notice.

However, his nurturing and generous spirit also extended into the community, where he aspired to be a friend and support to both the young and elderly. Harry enjoyed mentoring young people with similar childhoods; an affinity for older people meant visiting sick and elderly friends and neighbors at home and in nursing facilities, often cooking and bringing them some of their favorite dishes.

Though in his earlier years he wasn’t known for expressing his love through open affection, he expressed it by doing for others, whether it meant mowing lawns, shoveling snow-covered sidewalks, sharing produce from his extensive garden or the spoils of a hunting or fishing trip. And when his health no longer permitted him to demonstrate his affection, he became no longer shy about verbalizing how he felt, the words, “I love you” flowing through his lips, sometimes multiple times a day.

For more than 28 years, Harry served as a meter reader for the East Ohio Gas Company, now Dominion, retiring in 1999. An outgoing, endearing personality made it easy for him to converse and connect particularly with older customers who found him to be a bright light to their days with his inviting smile, as well as a caring and listening ear in sharing the joys and struggles in their lives. Harry’s knack for tapping into the friendly, trusting side of people from all walks of life made him a well-liked and well-known fixture throughout the community.

For more than two decades, he volunteered as a member of the Chain Gang for the New Philadelphia High School football team and his dedicated service was recognized in October 2013. Harry also was a former member of the J.B. Easley Masonic Lodge, a member of the Dover Dukes and Philly Merchants baseball teams and coached his sons’ Little League baseball teams.

He could often be found fishing- a lifelong passion. Among his other passions included being surrounded by family and friends, which is why he enjoyed hosting barbeques and get-togethers. Other interests included listening to gospel music, watching cowboy movies, and making and sharing a special hot sauce.

Though Harry took pride in being a dedicated provider, husband, and father, a love for and desire to serve God came first in his life. He was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church of Dover, where he served as a deacon and sang in the choir until his passing. He also served as an usher and was past president of the trustee board.

In addition to his wife, Madeline, Harry is survived by his sons, Dr. Rodney (Dr. Rebecca) Morrow of Gurnee, IL, Harry Morrow, Jr. of Everett, Washington; daughter, Nicole (Jason) Currence of New Philadelphia; grandchildren, Michael Reyes, Samara Morrow, JoVohn Morrow, Aaliyah, Arianna, Avere, and Addison Currence; his sisters, Ruth (Roy) Hunnicutt of New Philadelphia, Gloria (Beautford) Keenon of Spartanburg, SC, Jackie (David) Amos of South Euclid; brothers, Frank and Wade Morrow of Spartanburg, SC, James Morrow of Dover, and Fred (Denise) Todd of Mansfield.

He will be sadly missed by many nephews and nieces; his father and mother-in-law, Bob and Dorothy McKee; brothers-in-law, Gary McKee and Carlos McKee; and sister-in-law, Sherry McKee.

Preceding him in death are his mother, Luzon Woodruff Todd; father, Wade Morrow; and a son, Phillip “Phil” Wayne Morrow.

The Morrows will receive friends Thursday, April 24 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm in the Geib Funeral Center, 5600 Wooster Avenue, Dover.

Pastor Christopher Lowery will lead a home going service Friday afternoon at 1:00pm at First Baptist Church, 140 Regent Street, Dover.

Following the funeral, the family invites you to join them for a repast at the Geib Funeral Center at Dover.
In lieu of flowers, Harry’s family asks that contributions be directed to the First Baptist Church of Dover Building Fund in Memory of Harry L. Morrow, Sr., 140 Regent Street, Dover, OH 44622.