Gail Roland Morrison , 93, was born on April 5, 1926 in Salina, KS. He died on March 14, 2020 at his home. He was the son of Gail Matthew and Racie E. (Hilton) Morrison. He graduated from Salina High School, class of 1944. He was in the Navy from 1944-1946, stationed in Guam. He received the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and the Victory Medal. Upon his return, he graduated from Kansas State University, Manhattan, in 1950. Go Cats!
He married Margaret Lindblom on June 4, 1950 at First United Methodist Church, Salina. He started out working for J.C. Penny’s selling shoes, worked for Finance Credit Company and sold insurance. He worked as a storekeeper at Kansas Power and Light retiring after 19 years of service in 1987. He was a 60-year member of Salina Lodge #60, and a Past Master. He was a member of the Scottish Rite, Isis Shrine and ISIS Pipes and Drums and enjoyed playing the bagpipes. After retirement Gail and Margaret went to craft shows, selling their ceramics.
He was a seventy-year member of First United Methodist Church, Salina. He participated in many groups at the church including, Peacemakers SS Class, Pathfinders SS Class, Kitchen crew, office helper, Trustees Board, teaching Sunday School and Memorials committee. He also helped count the offering. He and Margaret made many ceramics for the church activities. He was a regular attendee at First Covenant Church, Salina. His friends at Arbor Court were very important to him.
Gail always thought he had no relatives, but with the last name Morrison, we knew differently. He and his family started doing genealogy and ended up with over 9 generations of relatives (hundreds of cousins) dating back to 1680 in Scotland. His great-grandfather, Whitfield Morrison, came to Salina in 1860, the fifth family settling here in Salina.
He is survived by his daughters, Constance (Connie) M. Christopher (Michael) and Susan L. Borthwick (Corwin) all of Salina, four grandchildren, Abigail M. Burchfield (Adam) Sagamihara, Japan; Jeremy M. Christopher (Kelsey) of Wichita, KS, Evan B. Borthwick (Sarah) of Warrensburg, MO and Grant B Borthwick of Redmond, WA. Six great grandchildren, Amelia, Lexi and Caleb Burchfield, Harper and Hadley Christopher and Felicity Borthwick. Several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret (2017), his parents, and a sister Mary Ruth Anderson (2017).
A Memorial Service and Masonic Rite presented by Masonic Lodge 60 will be held at 10:30am, Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at the Ryan Mortuary, Salina with Pastor Doug Birdsong officiating. The family will receive friends at the mortuary from 9-10:30am Inurnment will follow in the Gypsum Hill Cemetery with Military Honors presented by Salina V.F.W. Post 1432.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Morrison Q Genealogical Association, Inc. or to Hospice of Salina all in care of the funeral home. Online condolences: www.ryanmortuary.com.