Van Allen Morse
Van Allen Morse, 73, passed from this life to life eternal Oct. 10 in Ennis, Texas while on the tennis court, playing a game he loved. Born July 31, 1946, in Denver, Colorado to Dan and Dorothy Morse, Van grew up in Lewisville, Texas when it had just one blinking red light. A 1964 graduate of Lewisville High School, Van graduated from North Texas State University (now UNT) and earned his Master’s Degree from The University of Montana, Missoula.
He met the love of his life, Mary Kathleen Duncan, in the 6th grade at Lewisville Elementary. Their first date was to the 7th grade football banquet and they were never far apart for the next 60 years. Van and Kathy were married in Lewisville, September 3, 1966, following their sophomore year in college. He and Kathy just recently moved to their country dream home outside of Palmer, Texas. He loved living life with his partner in crime: dancing, fly fishing, traveling the country in their camper, and supporting the Mean Green of UNT.
Van served his country in the Air Force for 8 years during the Vietnam War receiving an honorable discharge with the rank of Captain. He was a 13 year esophageal cancer survivor.
Van was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife and best friend, Kathy; daughter, Wendy Leigh and her husband Dr. Jerry Northcutt of Ennis; son, Brian Van Allen Morse and his wife Melissa of Keller; grandchildren, Owen Taylor Northcutt and his fiancé Rebecca McCollum, Drew Northcutt, Paris Lane Morse, Duncan Van Allen Morse and Valeigh Susanne Morse. He is also survived by his sister, Jean Brady of San Antonio, nephews Austin and Aaron Brady and family; sisters-in-law Sherri Lynn Revier and husband John; Barbara Routh and husband Gary and the entire “Duncan Clan.”
In a final act of giving, Van donated his body to science at UT Southwestern Medical Center. A Memorial Service will be held at the Ennis First Presbyterian Church, 210 N. McKinney Street, October 19, at 11 am. Lunch in the Fellowship Hall will follow the service, then all are invited to the Rooftop 101 Event Center, 101 W. Ennis Ave., for a celebration of Van’s life with a sharing of libations and memories.
The family has requested that in lieu of flowers memorials be made to First Presbyterian Church Choir or Handbell accounts or the Ennis United Way.
