Max E. Morris, Jr.

Max E. Morris Jr., age 70, of Wamego, KS, passed away with his loving family surrounding him on July 17th, 2014 at The Good Shepherd Hospice House in Manhattan, following his battle with cancer. He was born September 9th, 1943 in Manhattan, KS. He was the second oldest of 10 children born to Max and Grace (Creviston) Morris, Sr. He graduated from Wamego High School in 1961. During high school and following his graduation he worked at Daylor’s Chevrolet Car Dealership. He then went on to vo-tech school to learn auto body. In December 1963 he married Doris Trudell. She survives of the home. Of this union, two children were born. Max was employed by Alan Clark Body Shop for nearly 13 years beginning in 1967. He opened his own business in Wamego, Max’s Body Shop in 1980 where he worked for 34 years, many of those years alongside his son. He was very proud of his business and did not think of it as work, but instead as a passion. His work was featured several times in popular car magazines. Max never knew a stranger. Through his body shop he made and met a lot of friends- salesmen, adjustors, and customers had personal relationships, not just business. Max was also an avid bowler. As a young boy, he was a “pinmonkey” in the 3 lane bowling alley in the basement of what is now the Wamego city office building. He enjoyed going to bowling tournaments and attended Nationals many times in many different cities. He enjoyed the camaraderie of all of his bowling friends. Max is also survived by his children Shawn Morris, his wife Stefanie, and their children Mallory, Jordan, Kasey, and Holly of Manhattan, and his daughter Stephanie Morris and David Bird of Wamego and their children Swaide, Saige, and her partner Domingo Pasillas. Max was a proud and devoted grandpa to his granddaughters and also to his new great granddaughter, Sundaye Louella-Rae. He often bragged about being the grandfather of the first quintuplets born in Kansas and was always a big supporter of all of the granddaughter’s academics, extra curricular activities, and athletic events. He is also survived by his sisters Sharon, Debbie, Bea and brothers Frankie, John, Tim, Sherman, and Jeremiah. Max was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Janie Shelton, and also an infant grandson, Evan Quinton Morris. A celebration of life will take place on Saturday, July 26th, 2014 at 10:00 AM at Stewart Funeral Home of Wamego with inurnment immediately following. Max’s wishes were to be cremated, and also to have everyone drive their old show cars to his services. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Manhattan Special Olympics and sent in care of the funeral home.