Rev. Dr. John Caleb Morris, III

A Life Celebration for Reverend/ Dr. John Caleb Morris, III, age 77, of Tyler, Texas is scheduled for 3pm, Saturday, July 27th at Grace Community Church, Old Jacksonville Highway in Tyler, with Pastor Doug Clark and John Prestridge officiating. Dr. Morris, a Tyler area minister of Jesus, ran his race well and was welcomed into the arms of his Lord and Savior Saturday, July 20th. He was born December 6, 1935 in Sweetwater, Texas to the late J.C. and Jeanette Morris. He was raised in Sweetwater and went on to receive his Masters of Theology from Asbury Theological Seminary, his Masters of Religious Education from Southwestern Theological Seminary, and his Doctorate of Ministry in Biblical Counseling from Luther Rice Theological Seminary. Dad married Mary Helen Tanquary on May 31, 1959 in Mt. Carmel, Illinois. Mary Helen survives, as do four children, John Paul Morris, DVM and wife Debbie of Tyler, Texas, Candace Bourke and husband Patrick of Furlong, Pennsylvania, Suzanne Swift and husband John David of Sour Lake, Texas and Patricia Henderson and husband Eddie of Arlington, Texas. Gramps was dearly loved by his surviving grandchildren Amber Morris, Summer Morris Collins, Storey Morris, Cambri Morris, Savannah Bourke, Lauren Swift, Harrison Swift, Michelle Henderson Anders and Dan Henderson, as well as his brother, Stanley Morris and his wife Phyllis. He was preceded in death by both parents and his infant daughter, Ramona Rene Morris. After completing seminary in Asbury, Kentucky, John moved to Fort Worth, Texas in 1960 to serve as the pastor of Evangelical Methodist Church. He came to Tyler, Texas in 1964 where he served as the founding pastor of Grace Community Church. During his 23 years of service at Grace Community, he ministered as a pastor and an elder and was the first Headmaster and Principal of Grace Community School. John remained at Grace Community until his retirement in 1987 and then began Pastoral Counseling Ministries in Tyler, Texas. John loved people and was well known for his welcoming handshake, his friendly smile and his thought provoking questions! He was a theologian and lover of God’s Word and found great joy in diagraming Scripture in order to see deeper into the heart of our Heavenly Father. He also found joy in the Tuesday morning Men’s Bible Study group that he hosted for the past 25 plus years. Dad was uniquely able to accept and love others where they were. He spoke truth from a heart of love, without judgment, and was able to “agree to disagree” when necessary! He loved gardening and landscaping and he deeply loved his family. He was a frequent attendee at art shows, swim meets, gymnastic events, dance recitals, pep rallies, piano recitals, and musical performances, as well as softball, football and soccer games. He was very proud of his grand kids! The family will receive friends at Stewart Family Funeral Home Friday, July 26th from 5-7pm and would like to extend the deepest appreciation to Dr. Arielle Lee, Dr. Heidi McKellar, Ms. Clarine Cooper and the amazing staff at Hospice of East Texas. If desired, memorials in honor of Dr. Morris may be made to Grace Community Church in Tyler, Texas or Hospice of East Texas Foundation.

Rev. Dr. John Caleb Morris, III

December 6, 1935 - July 20, 2013