Birth: Mar. 18, 1922
Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, Utah, USA
Death: Nov. 14, 2010 Murray, Salt Lake County, Utah, USA
Charles Grant Morrison passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Sunday afternoon, November 14, 2010 at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, Utah. He had just arrived at a practice with the Oratorio Society of Utah, one of the singing groups of which he was a member. He resided at 424 East 3400 South in South Salt Lake, Utah at the time of his death.
Grant was born March 18, 1922 to Arthur William and Esther Elizabeth (Elggren) Morrison only twenty-seven minutes after his twin brother Reed, making him the baby of eleven siblings. They always joked that they were "womb mates" and Uncle Reed was "Uncle Papa" to all of Grant's children who called Grant "Papa".
Papa loved music and singing. From the earliest age, he and Reed sang in choirs and chorales, singing countless duets at funerals and family gatherings. Grant was a lifelong member of the Swanee Singers, often performing solos, even well into his eighties. He also sang with the Utah Chorale and the Utah Symphony Chorus.
Following his graduation from South High School, he served his country in World War II, and was assigned, at one time, to a tank unit under General Patton. Later, he was selected for an Intelligence unit. He received the Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, European, African, and Middle Eastern Campaign Medals, and the Good Conduct Medal.
After his service, he attended the University of Utah, graduated Summa Cum Laude, missing valedictorian by 1/10th of 1%, and graduated with a degree in accounting. He subsequently became a CPA and practiced this profession until retirement.
He also was a lifelong tennis player, playing in leagues for the Salt Lake Tennis Club and Park City Racquet Club and winning a number of tournaments. He was invariably gracious both in winning and losing.
He married his high school sweetheart, Marilyn Patricia Cunnington on December 6, 1943, while in the service, and they had nine children. She passed away September 9, 2006, after sixty-three years of marriage. He later married Elizabeth Bradshaw, who has been a great comfort and companion to Papa. Both marriages have been solemnized in the Salt Lake City Temple.
Papa is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and all nine children from his first marriage: Dixie Dixon (husband Daniel, recently deceased); Bill (Dianne) Morrison; Scott (Launa) Morrison; Brian (Kathleen) Morrison; Tim (Karen) Morrison; Marilee (Gordon) Beh; Britt (Kay) Morrison; Suzie (Kevin) Woodward; and Melissa Gleave. Also, great friends Pamela Olsen, Tina Kirkham, Dick Calder, and close relatives Rachel Morrison, Jack and Jim Cumberledge, and seventy-six grandchildren and 102 great-grandchildren. Predeceased by brothers Wendell, Adrian, Francis, Clarence, and Fred, and sister, Anna Marie. Survived by twin brother Reed, and sisters Jenna Vee, and Marjorie. The eleventh sibling was a twin boy to Francis who did not survive. Also preceded in death by grandson John and great-granddaughter Halie.
The family will receive friends and relatives at a viewing on Friday evening at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 South Highland Drive (1495 East), from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, November 20, 2010 in the Riviera Ward Chapel, 601 East Mansfield Avenue (3115 South), at 2:00 p.m. with a viewing preceding the services from 1:00-1:40 p.m.
Burial will immediately follow the services in Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park with full military honors accorded.
Published in the Deseret News from November 18 to November 19, 2010.
Family links:
Parents:
Arthur William Morrison (1881 - 1938)
Burial:
Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park
Salt Lake City
Salt Lake County
Utah, USA
