Chief" Robert Booth Morrison "Morry

Robert Booth Morrison, a.k.a. Morry, Chief and "the Whip," died at home October 3, 2013 after a short illness. Morry was a very fun and loving man with a keen intellect and a delightful sense of humor. He loved hunting, fishing, traveling, golf and his family. Morry was born in Salt Lake City on May 9, 1928 to Manda Booth and Ira Richards Morrison. He graduated from East High School and went on to the University of Utah. A member of Beta Theta Pi, he graduated after only three years, receiving a BA in Finance in 1948. After World War II and college graduation, he enlisted in the army and served two years in Louisville, Kentucky with his two friends Jim Smith and Dave Payne. After serving in the army, he returned to Salt Lake City where he met and dated Diane Nicholson. They were married in 1951. After their marriage, Morry and Diane lived in Palo Alto, California while Morry attended Stanford University. He received his MBA from Stanford in 1952. Morry and Diane returned to Salt Lake City in 1952. After the death of his father, Morry took over the support of his mother and sister, in addition to his own family. At that time, he chose to take over the business founded by his father, Dick Morrison Tire Company. Under his excellent leadership and business acumen, Morrison Tire expanded and grew over the years, making it necessary to move to larger facilities. In 1982, Dick Morrison Tire Company moved to a large warehouse at 1422 S Redwood Rd. Morry and his good friend, Ken Sowards, took on the Hercules Tire Brand and the Utah, Nevada, Idaho and Wyoming territory. He was a long-time board member of Hercules Tire of Findley, Ohio. Over time, Morry added ten retail stores (Grandma's Tires and ZCMI Auto Centers) to his wholesale operation and distributed tires to independent tire dealers throughout the West. He was a hard-working man who demanded the best from his employees, often donning a white lab coat and going into the warehouse to work with his employees, who gave him the nickname, "the Whip." Later he became affectionately known as "Chief" by employees, friends and even family. Morry loved the game of golf and played as often as he could. He was one of "The Twenty-five Associates" who took on the task of founding, promoting and developing the Willow Creek Country Club in 1957, becoming member #10. He was also a member of the Chesapeake Duck Club and spent every October, November and half of December hunting ducks and geese. As much as he loved braving the freezing temperatures to bag a duck or goose, he enjoyed the companionship and camaraderie of his fellow hunters, many of whom became his lifelong friends. Morry and Diane loved to travel and visited many different states and countries. They often combined travel with golf, playing on courses throughout the world. Morry and Diane were the parents of 4 children, three boys and one girl. He was a proud father and grandfather who was much loved by his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Diane, his son Craig (Jennifer) and their children Kiley Pew (Ben), Lindsey Morrison, Brittany Alosi (Michael), Brooke Russell (Kim), Randy Kipp (Kristin), Spencer Morrison and Amanda Darrow (Alex), his son Rick (Barbara) and their children, Carly and Keith, his daughter Holly Cunningham (Smitty) and their children Meagan Proctor (Jared) and Jason Cunningham (Caitlyn) and his son Mike and daughters Madison and Lexie. He is also survived by his sister, Juli Bertagnole (Bill) and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Joan Brill (Randy). We will miss his active imagination and witty jokes. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to Ducks Unlimited, Inc., One Waterfowl Way, Memphis, TN 37501. Please come to a celebration of his life on Thursday, October 17th at Willow Creek Country Club, 8300 South 2700 East, Sandy, Utah from 4 until 6 pm.