Jerry L Morris

Jerry LeRoy Morris

1943-2024

Act One – the first 50 years…

Our dad, “Toots” as our mom called him, passed way from heart failure on January 2, 2024. Born to George Jackson and Erma Elizabeth Beal Morris on August 15, 1943 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Married Loma Lee Warr on January 19, 1962; later solemnized in the LDS Temple. Jerry and Loma spent endless days boating on Flaming Gorge with their family and friends. As a family they endured many car rides traveling to Salt Lake, motocross races and wrestling tournaments all around Utah and the surrounding states, drag races, car shows, drill team and cheer camps and sometimes gymnastics. Jerry was involved with little league football program supporting his sons and enjoyed dwarf car racing. Dad was the epitome of a car enthusiast! He could spend countless hours at car shows looking at cars and working on his various hot rods. He loved Harley-Davidson motorcycles and taking road trips, some of his most memorable rides ended him up at Sturgis and Mexico. Jerry loved a good story and he could tell you one too. He enjoyed “going to coffee” and hanging out with his buddies at the coffee shop. He also enjoyed doing yardwork. Jerry came to Vernal in 1968 as the youngest store manager for Safeway Foods. Soon after he and his dad started the Vernal Arctic Circle. From that sprouted many different businesses in Vernal such as The Vernal Mine Co., the Game Room, Pizza Factory, Pizza Barn, J-West, Rocky Mountain Drilling and so many countless other business ventures along the way with a host of different business partners. Living on borrowed time – having many heart attacks and open-heart surgery – Dad you made it to 2024!! Jerry is survived by his children; Monte (Heidi) Morris, Shelly (Mark) Carver, Dusty (Kari) Morris; grandchildren Chris, BriAnn, Stephanie, Katie, Richelle, Kassidy, Kansas, Dylan, and Devyn; Great-grandchildren Nathan, Tyler, Caelum, Teige, Meridian, Elle, Odie, Arie, Renlie, Charlie, Michael, James, Georgia, Winslet, Lennon, Bowie, Stevie, Maddox and Jaxx. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Loma in 1993; daughter, Heidi Ann Radeke; sister, Joyce Wheat.

            Act Two - Jerry married Annette Angus on March 2, 1996. Already a father and grandfather, he welcomed and embraced another family who would forever be enriched from his larger-than-life presence.

Jerry loved life, fun and adventure; and he embraced every opportunity to enjoy it to the fullest. He` believed in working hard but also playing hard.

An amazing businessman and entrepreneur, he freely shared his wealth of knowledge and wisdom with anyone who asked. Those who needed help were never denied; not for acclaim or praise on his part, but because he truly loved seeing people succeed and be happy.

He was a man who faced challenges with a positive attitude and made surmounting them look easy. He dealt with many health issues that would have brought a lesser person down. To him they were just a steppingstone to get to the next adventure.

Jerry never met a stranger and made friends wherever he went. It didn’t matter if you were related or not, once he opened his heart to you, you were family.

In 2011 Jerry and Annette moved part time to Las Vegas where Jerry’s lifelong love of cars opened a community of new friends who became another family. He relished every part of his hot rod hobby: restoring, trading, and selling. He shared his wealth of knowledge and experience with anyone who would listen.  

Most of all Jerry loved his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. All our lives were enriched, blessed, and completed having him as our patriarch. He will be greatly missed.

Survived by his loving wife Annette, stepchildren Alexander Labrum, Schuyler Labrum, Madisen (Jeremy) Sullivan, and Nick (Savanna) Young. Grandchildren Riely Ann Labrum, Saer Jade Sullivan, Sage Adler Sullivan, and Olivia Grace Young.

Viewing to be held Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at Thompson-Blackburn Vernal Mortuary from 6:00-8:00 pm. Celebration of Life to be held on January 10, 2024, at the Conference Center, 313 East 200 South, Vernal, Utah, starting at 11:00 am. Viewing to be held prior to services from 9:45-10:45 am. Graveside services will be Thursday, January 11, 2024, Mountain View Memorial Estates, 3115 East 7800 South in Salt Lake City at 12:00 pm.