COLUMBUS, INDIANA
Norman Graham Morris, 94, of Columbus, IN passed away peacefully at Four Seasons Retirement Center on Friday, April 22, 2022. Norman was preceded in death in 1999 by his wife, Julia Avery Morris. Norman and Julia enjoyed 48 years of marriage. Norman was born August 16,1927 in Shelbyville, IN to Russell and Hilda Morris and had one older sister, Betty (Gutting). He graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1945. Between high school and college, Norman served his country just after WWII as a member of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. From Topographical Survey School at Ft. Belvoir to part of the Occupational Forces in Japan, Norman became an accomplished surveyor with the 123rd Engineers Survey Battalion near Tokyo. In the fall of 1948, Norman enrolled at DePauw U in Greencastle, IN graduating with honors and a B.A. degree in 1951. He pledged Phi Kappa Psi fraternity and served as chapter president; other DePauw honors included Gold Key, and Phi Beta Kappa Scholastic Honorary. Norman received his master’s degree in English Literature in 1952 from Ohio State University. Norman and Julia met at DePauw U and were married on August 18, 1951, at First United Methodist Church in Columbus. Deciding that Columbus, Indiana was a great town to settle in, Norman’s first job was with the Advertising Department of Hamilton Cosco. At the time, Julia’s father (Joseph Avery) and brother (Joe Tom Avery) owned a successful local printing firm – The Avery Press/Columbus Business Forms. Keeping it all in the family, Norman joined the Avery Press in 1956, became the company’s President in 1978, and kept employment there through 1984 when The Avery Press closed. Norman and Julia along with company employee Russell Ricketts continued to oversee Columbus Business Forms until retirement in 1990.
Norman loved the Columbus community, and Columbus loved him. His civic activities included 43 years
in Kiwanis Club and club president in 1969, Columbus Visitors Center Board of Directors, Bartholomew County Library Memorials Committee, Columbus Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors, a highly active member of the First United Methodist Church for over 50 years, Norman and Julia wrote “The History of the First United Methodist Church of Columbus, Indiana”.
Norman’s passion was reading and writing. The width and breadth of his interests spanned the writings of Shakespeare to the history of Indiana High School basketball. He authored the complete histories of the Morris and Avery families, always remembered many family vacations and special trips with beautifully penned memories enjoyed through the years by his family. His hobby in the 1960s and 70s was collecting political campaign buttons and his inventory was one of the largest in Indiana. His favorite sport was baseball, and he would spend many summer evenings on the back porch listening to his beloved Cincinnati Reds. The Indianapolis 500 was another huge part of his life and the two tickets, first purchased in 1955, have remained in the family to this day.
Survivors include son, Thomas Graham Morris (Judy) in Moscow, ID; daughter, Alice (Brent Holcomb) in Marquette, MI; five grandchildren; and six great grandchildren.
The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 3, 2022, at Barkes, Weaver &Glick Funeral Home on Washington Street; the Reverend Howard Boles will officiate. A live stream of the funeral service can be seen at barkesweaverglick.com. Family and friends may gather for visitation from 9:30 a.m. until service time Tuesday at the funeral home. Norman will be laid to rest next to his wife in Section 58 at the Garland Brook Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church or Our Hospice of South Central Indiana. Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the Morris family at barkesweaverglick.com.
