C. Gene Morrison

C. Gene Morrison, 80, of Columbus, formerly of North Vernon, passed away at 7:40 a.m. on Tuesday, October 27, 2020, at Greentree at Westwood in Columbus.

Born March 17, 1940, in White County, he was the son of the late Eurvie and Ruby King (Patterson) Morrison. He married Nila Carol Oberlander on March 19, 1961 at the Wolcott Christian Church in Wolcott, Indiana; she survives.

Gene was a 1958 graduate of White County High School in White County and received a basketball scholarship to Arizona State in 1958 he later transferred to Purdue University graduating in 1964. He was a teacher for Jennings County School Corporation for 37 years and cross-country and basketball coach for several years; he was successful in placing many of his players into colleges.  Gene was a member of the First Baptist Church in North Vernon and a member of the church Bible study group. He was a member of Jennings County Classroom Teachers Association where he served on the negotiating team for many years, Indiana State Teachers Association, National Education Association, and the Indiana Basketball Association. He was Teacher of the Year at Columbia City and that same year he coached the Columbia City Basketball team to the Semi-State Championship. He also led the team to three sectional titles during his tenure at Columbia City. He coached the Seeger Baseball Team to their first Sectional Championship.  Gene enjoyed coaching, watching sports, 4-H and tinkering on the farm. Gene was an avid Purdue fan.

Surviving with his wife,  Nila of 59 years, are sons, Tracy Morrison of North Vernon, Brad Morrison of Mooresville and Travis (Kelley) Morrison of Bloomington; daughter, Shelbia (Kevin) DeaKyne of Huntington; daughter-in-law, Cindy Morrison of North Vernon; sister, Berniece (Don) Payne of Attica; grandchildren, Ashely (Jacob) DeWeese of Warren, Donnie (Bethany) DeaKyne of Alabama, Andrew (Marissa) DeaKyne of Columbia City, Savannah (Lucas) Johnson of Huntington, Chelsea Morrison of North Vernon, Macy (Patrick) Lewis of Columbus, Connor (Megan) Morrison of Holton, Gabriel Morrison of Indianapolis, Gove Morrison of Spencer and Austin Morrison of Bloomington; great-grandchildren, Keegan Anderson, Laney DeWeese and Tate DeWeese, all of Warren, Caleb DeaKyne and Wesley DeaKyne, both of Alabama, Wyatt Morrison, of Holton and Eleanor Lewis of Columbus.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Ernie Morrison; sister, Ruby Morrison; granddaughter, Shannon DeaKyne and great-grandchildren, Caroline and Jack Lewis.

A funeral service for Gene will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 31, 2020, at the Dove-Sharp & Rudicel Funeral Home and Cremation Service in North Vernon with the Rev. Kendall Wildey officiating. Family and friends may call at the funeral home from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, October 30, 2020, and one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Burial will be in the Vernon Cemetery in Vernon.

Memorials may be made in honor of Gene through the funeral home to the Jennings County High School Basketball or Jennings County High School Cross Country.

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