John Morrison

John Grant Morrison was born, August 19, 1945 in Augusta, Georgia, the third of four children to Presbyterian minister Robert S. Morrison and Margaret Herndon Morrison, a harpist and Minister of Music.  A few short years later, Margaret was widowed and raised the four children with the help of her sister, Sarah Eliza Herndon, a college professor.
After graduating in 1964 from Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery Alabama John enlisted in the US Air Force, stationed at Fairchild AFB in Spokane, Washington.  It was there, in Spokane, that he met and after a very brief courtship, married Rita Kay Hulse, the love of his life on January 21, 1967.  Receiving an honorable discharge from the USAF in 1971, John began a career in sales for Noxell Corporation where he traveled the PNW and into Western Montana.  Once John and Rita began their family, he decided to pursue a real estate license and later a brokers license as well as a career that would enable him to be an active and involved dad for their three children.  He was a vocal and enthusiastic coach for the children, involved with Indian Guides, Scouts, YMCA Basketball and Spokane Youth Sports soccer.  His yells of “atta boy girl” to all the players would generally leave him hoarse by Saturday nights.   Sundays were spent at Whitworth Presbyterian Church where he was active as an Elder for many years.
In 1985, John took on the next career challenge as the Director of the Spokane Airport Business Park and in 1993 becoming the Executive Director of the Spokane Airports where he led much development and growth.
John retired from the airport in 2005 to become the full-time caregiver to Rita following early-onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis.  John lovingly cared for his beloved wife until she passed in December 2012.
The next chapter for John was devoting his time and energy to being a super grandfather to his three grandkids.  Watching Joe play basketball and baseball was truly a highlight for him, along with hosting Camp Grandpa each summer for his twin granddaughters Megan and Madeline.
John enjoyed long drives and road trips as well as family gatherings. He would not hesitate to take a 2-day drive to Minnesota to spend time with the granddaughters, a quick drive to the coast to spend time with daughter Sarah, or a 3-day drive to spend the winter holidays in Orange Beach, Alabama, where he would encourage any and all of us to join him, and if we weren’t yet there, he would torment us with pictures and weather reports from the beach.
Always the life of the party, John loved to have lots of people around and always enjoyed entertaining.  Generous and loving, he had a big heart, big voice and a big personality.  Although the last 18 months for John were filled with health issues, he remained fiercely independent and was still planning on future family gatherings.
John is survived by his children and grandchildren, Tina, Lloyd, Megan and Madeline Bondy, John, Jill and Joe Morrison and Sarah Morrison, his sisters Sue Bryant and Lynn (Mitch) Rogers, in addition to much extended family.  Preceded in death by his parents, his Aunt Sarah, brother Steve Morrison, nephew Carl Nowakowski, niece Mary Alice Ratzlaff and his beloved wife Rita.
A memorial service celebrating John’s life and memory will be scheduled for the springtime.