Morris Arthur Johnson was born in Omaha to Dr. Chester and Marthena (Morris) Johnson. He died on December 30, 2022, survived by his wife, Maureen, and son, Andrew, both of Valentine, and his nephew, Dr. Jeffery M. Benson and family of Phoenix, AZ.
Morris attended St. John’s Military Academy in Salina, KS. After graduating from St. John’s, Morris attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. After completing three years of college study, Morris entered the Navy serving as a hospital corpsman, and was honorably discharged after four years of service during the Korean Conflict. Upon his Naval discharge, he returned to the University to complete his college studies, and graduated from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln with a Master’s degree in Economics.
After college, Morris moved to Washington, D.C. where he was employed at the Federal Reserve Bank. Morris decided that he wanted to be closer to his sister, Betty Jane, and he relocated to San Francisco, CA where he continued to work for the Federal Reserve Bank. After several years with the Federal Reserve, Morris took a position with the State of California Department of Banking. He remained with the State of California until he returned to Nebraska to care for his mother following the untimely death of his sister.
Morris was Vice President of First National Bank of Valentine until his appointment as President, and he retired as the bank’s President. He remained on the Board of Directors of First National Bank of Valentine until 2008, and also served in a consulting capacity following his retirement from active banking in 1996. He was also a director of the First National Bank of Springview, Nebraska.
Morris was active in the Valentine community serving as Valentine City Treasurer for several years, as well as maintaining active memberships in the Masonic Lodge #221 of Wood Lake, Tangier Shrine of Omaha, Order of the Eastern Star, Knights Templar, and BPOE Elks Lodge. He also served as both Junior and Senior Warden of St. John’s Episcopal Church, and was a devoted vestryman at various times throughout his years as a congregant at St. John’s.
Morris passionately loved dogs. He had several Labrador retrievers that he trained and competed in field trials throughout the United States. He was introduced to Charles Morgan, and became a close friend of Mr. Morgan, whose published book on retrievers is considered the preeminent treatise on the subject. A privately published version of Charles Morgan on Retrievers was produced and inscribed for Morris and other of Morgan’s friends. Morris eventually cherished “little dogs” and had a rat terrier, miniature schnauzer, bichon frise, and peekapoo – all quite different in personality, but all very loved, and devotedly kept him company, always by his side.
Later in life, Morris joined St. Nicholas Catholic Church and was a devoted congregant until his death. Morris always had a strong interest in the Roman Catholic faith, and when he was unable to attend Mass, he was nonetheless regularly administered the Eucharist, and was anointed several times throughout his many illnesses, including the day before his death. He truly loved his church, and especially enjoyed a high Mass, something that he always indulged in when traveling.
A funeral Mass will be said at a later date due to the recent inclement weather, and several long distance family members.
Memorials may be made to St. Nicholas Catholic Church, Valentine or Borders Without Boundaries, Valentine.
Sandoz Chapel of the Pines was entrusted with the funeral arrangements.
