Roger Morse
Roger Herbert Morse, 91, died April 3, 2006, at St. Luke Living Center, Marion.
Born Jan. 3, 1915, at Marion, he was the youngest child of Frank and Anna (Beaston) Morse.
On June 30, 1940, he married Marie Stover at McPherson.
He was a graduate of Marion High School and began his college education at Kansas State Teacher's College in 1933. He completed his Juris Doctorate at George Washington University in 1941.
Morse worked for U.S. Representative Randolph Carpenter and the Reconstruction Finance Corporation in Washington, D.C., and went to school in the evenings.
He was a World War II Army Air Corps veteran.
Following the war, he returned to his hometown of Marion and entered the practice of law in the office of W.H. Carpenter in 1946, and continued in the practice until his retirement as the senior partner in the firm of Morse, Batt and Brookens 50 years later.
He received many awards for his service as an attorney and was admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court. During his law career, he served as Marion County Attorney for several years and served the City of Marion as city attorney.
He was a life long Democrat and was active in party politics.
Roger's many professional and community services included active memberships in Marion Kiwanis Club, the Masonic Lodge, and the Kansas and American Bar Associations.
He was commander of the Marion American Legion Post, the first Marion CROP Walk chairman, and a member of Marion Chamber of Commerce.
He served on the boards of Marion County Community Mental Health Board, the Selective Service board, Marion County Hospital District No. 1, Marion County Saddlemen's Association, and Marion County Historical Society and Museum.
Morse served as pro bono counsel to many not-for-profit organizations and actively supported many community improvement projects, including Marion City Library.
A member since childhood of Marion Presbyterian Church, he served as deacon, elder, and Sunday school superintendent for many decades.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Ellen, Inez, and Irene; four brothers, Frank, Earl, Paul, and Elder; and an infant son, James William.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Marie; daughter, Jean Marie and Jim Slater of Guffey, Colo.; son, Richard Roger and Nathela Chatara Morse of Springfield, Ill.; six grandchildren; two great-grandsons; cousins; other relatives; and a host of friends.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Marion Presbyterian Church.
Memorial funds have been established with Marion City Library, Marion Presbyterian Church, or Marion Historical Museum.
