James Richard "Dick" Morrow

James Richard “Dick” Morrow died peacefully at Washington County Hospital on March 1, 2022 at the age of 87.  He was born April 11, 1934 in Iowa City to Gilbert and Ethel (McNeese) Morrow and grew up in the Keota, Iowa area.  He married Frances Morgan at the Methodist Church in Brighton, Iowa on December 19, 1953.

He worked on the railroad as a young teen in Eldon and Muscatine areas and was a farm hand for Boyd Stoutner and Stacey Guy before hiring on at Hanson Construction from 1962-1981 as a crane operator.  Dick then ran his own sawmill business for 40 years (and cared for and loved many cats) and also worked for his good friend Jim Dunn (Margaret) of Washington Iowa for 20 years.  During their marriage, the couple welcomed seven children into their home and taught about working hard, perseverance, family values and the importance of humor in their lives.

Dick was a quiet man who enjoyed pitching horseshoes, playing card games pinochle and pitch, watching westerns, Red Skelton, Hee Haw, the Bald Knobbers of Branson, fishing, and listening to country music. Dick loved going “mushrooming”! In his elder years, Dad spent hours watching and feeding the squirrels and birds around his apartment in Wayland.  He had a sweet tooth for lemon drops and ice cream and enjoyed visiting with neighbors, most often Doug Hesseltine.

Dick is survived by his children, Sherri (Merle) Rugg, Carla Hildebrand and special friend Paul Beliel, Randy (Beth) Morrow; Joanie (Barry) Leichty, Beverly (Bryan) Conrad all of Wayland, Iowa and Laura Morrow of Tennille, Georgia and Sheila (Keenan) Graves of West Branch, Iowa.  One brother Larry (Evelyn) Morrow of Wayland, Iowa; and numerous nephews, nieces, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, parents, Step-dad Isaac Kleese and Step-mom Mae Morrow, brothers Jay Rodney (Doc), Melvin (Bo), Donald, Dean (Skippy) and sisters Jean Blessing, Lola Arbogast, and Mattie Lou Manning, and son-in-law Larry Hildebrand.

He was cremated per his final wishes (although he jokingly requested to be propped up against the jukebox). Visitation will be held at Beatty Funeral Home in Wayland from 5-7PM,  Wednesday, March 9, 2022 with the family present.  A celebration of life is scheduled 3:00PM, Thursday, March 10, 2022 at the Beatty Funeral Home in Washington. The service will be live-streamed on the Beatty-Peterseim Facebook page.  Ben Linville of Independent Bible Church will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Dick’s life. Memorial donations can be directed to Henry County Conservation for care of animals and the Wayland Volunteer Fire Department.

Condolences can be sent to 1131 Delaware Ave, Wayland, IA 52654.

The family would like to thank Washington County Hospital and Wayland First Responders for their kindness to our family.  Also special thanks to Beatty Peterseim Funeral Home for their care in handling the arrangements.