Dr. James Cohen Morrison, Jr. 91, of Gainesville, GA. Passed away peacefully at his home of natural causes on, Tuesday, September 17, 2013.
Born in Gainesville, GA. he was the son of the late Dr. James Cohen and Mittie Peeler Morrison.
Dr. Morrison was a graduate of Gainesville High School in 1939 where he lettered in 3 sports: football, baseball, and basketball. He attended North GA College from 1939 until 1941. In 1941 he transferred to the University of GA where he played baseball as a starting varsity pitcher, and there he received his Bachelor in Business Administration degree in 1942. On December 27, 1942, he married Ruth Ashford
Lumsden. Dr. Morrison entered the US Navy Supply Corp School at Harvard University in 1942 and was assigned to the USS President Monroe as a Supply Officer. Dr. Morrison was Honorably Discharged from the Navy with the rank of Lieutenant. When he returned in 1946 from his service in World War II, he continued his education at Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN, where he received his Doctorate of Optometry degree in 1948. While attending SCO, he made the highest grade ever given to a student at that time. Dr. Morrison practiced in Gainesville for the next 56 years. Dr. Morrison received the Lifetime Appreciation award in 2008 from the American Optometric Association for over 50 years of continuous service.
He was a member of the American Legion Post 7, the Gainesville Elks Club, the Gainesville Jaycees, and was Board Chairman of the Gainesville Parks and Recreation Dept. He was a member of Gainesville First United Methodist Church for 65 years where he also served as Church Treasurer.
Dr. Morrison was the son of an optometrist, and his son, Dr. Bill Morrison, is also an optometrist. The three together have provided eye care to the Gainesville area continuously for 97 years. Dr. J.C. Morrison, Sr. received his original optometry license in 1915 in Hickory, NC. He then moved to Gainesville GA, and received his Georgia optometry license in 1917. Dr. Morrison, Sr. also opened a jewelry store in 1917. He practiced 10 years until he was "conned" by an unscrupulous man causing the jewelry business to go bankrupt. He then moved to Thomaston, Ga. later returning to Gainesville to practice optometry, and continued until 1964 for a total for 47 years. Dr. J.C. Morrison, Jr. opened his practice with his dad in 1948 with a branch office in Buford, GA. On Bradford Street in Gainesville his brother Bill had a taxi service business and Atlanta-Journal Constitution delivery service in the back of their building. Dr. J.C. Morrison, Jr. practiced there until 1979 and then moved to Brenau Avenue. He moved to Sherwood Park Drive in 2003 and joined his son, Dr. Bill Morrison, in practice till 2006 when he retired after 56 years of practice. Dr. Bill Morrison, started his practice in 1975 with his dad on Bradford St. and in Buford till 1979. He then he built an office one Sherwood Park Drive and has been in practice for 34 years.
In addition to his parents, Dr. Morrison is preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Lumsden Morrison; son, James Thomas "Jim" Morrison; siblings, Zelda Mae Morrison, William James "Bill" Morrison, Elizabeth Amanda Morrison, Harvey Peeler Morrison, Creola Ruth Morrison.
Dr. Morrison is survived by his children, Dr. William "Bill" Lumsden Morrison of Gainesville, GA; Victoria "Vicki" Ruth Morrison (Terry Nyhagen) of Brimson, MN; David "Dave" Jackson Morrison of Asheville, NC.; Jim's wife, Louise England Morrison of Gainesville. Grandchildren, James Thorance "Thor" and Lee Ann Morrison, Richmond, KY; Meg and Matt Zink of Nashville, TN; Alex and Emily Morrison of Suwanee, GA; Matthew and Jennifer Morrison of Newnan, GA, Mike Morrison of Newnan, GA. Great grandchildren, Jim Morrison, Anne Morrison, Thomas Morrison, Maggie Chase Morrison, and Cooper James Morrison.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 20, 2013, at the Little-Davenport Chapel. Dr. Terry Walton will officiate. Interment will be in Alta Vista Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Little & Davenport Funeral Home on Thursday, September 19, 2013 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Flowers will be accepted or donations can be made to The First United Methodist Church Children and Youth Building Fund, 2780 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville, GA 30506 or to the Disabled American Vets, Gainesville Chapter, P.O. Box 6055, Gainesville, GA 30504.
Those wishing to make online condolences may do so at www.littledavenport.com.
Little & Davenport Funeral Home, 355 Dawsonville Highway, S.W., Gainesville, Ga. 30501 is in charge of arrangements.
