Obituary of Gayle Morris

Gayle Normandin Morris, 80, of Land 0 Lakes, FL, husband of Linda Lee Morris
passed away at Advent Hospital Wesley Chapel on July 1, 2020.
Born February 7,1940 in Clay Center, Kansas, he was the youngest son of the late
Raymond Normandin Morris and Carrie Katherine Zeigler Morris.
Gayle graduated from Silver Lake High School in 1958 and Washburn University,
completing the ROTC program in 1962. He served as a pilot and officer in the
USAF until he retired in 1985 as Lt. Col. He was a decorated combat veteran in
Viet Nam, including earning the Distinguished Flying Cross.
During his military career he was stationed in Del Rio, TX, Sacramento, CA, Wright
Patterson AFB, OH, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, and the Pentagon in Arlington, VA. After
retiring, Gayle spent his many remaining years in Mount Jackson, as a real estate
broker and manager of Shenandoah Cellular; he also resided in Chester Gap, VA;
and Punta Gorda, Tampa, and Land O Lakes, FL.
Gayle was an active member of Kirkmont Presbyterian Church in Beaver Creek,
OH, Mount Jackson United Methodist Church, Burnt Store Presbyterian
Church in Punt Gorda FL, and Forest Hills Presbyterian Church in Tampa, FL where
he helped lead "Furniture Friday". For 20 years he was an active volunteer for the
American Cancer Society. He loved building, and restored a 1780 historic log
home in Mt Jackson, VA; and he loved his dogs. He was a devoted husband,
father, grandfather and recently became a great-grandfather.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Linda Lee Morris of Land O Lakes, FL; his
daughter Tara Lynne Morris of Marathon, FL; his grandsons Charles Edward
Johnson III of Nokesville, VA; Benjamin Wayne Bassett of Lovettsville, VA; his
granddaughter Rachel Lee Anne Lacombe of Rahway, NJ; and his great-grandson
Wes Patrick Lacombe of Rahway, NJ.
Gayle is predeceased by his daughter, Wendy Lee Morris Johnson Bassett and his
brothers Col. Raymond Edward Morris and Galen Ziegler Morris.
In lieu of flowers, it is Gayle's wish that donations be made to Forest Hills
Presbyterian Memorial Fund. Donations can be sent to 709 W. Linebaugh Ave.,
Tampa, FL 33612.

Memorial services and military honors will be rendered on Wednesday, July 22 at 2 o'clock pm at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida.

The family has entrusted care and services to Loyless Funeral Home.