My Genealogy Home Page:Information about Douglas Vaughan Morris
Douglas Vaughan Morris (b. 14 Aug 1930, d. 21 Jul 2004)
Notes for Douglas Vaughan Morris:
The following is from the Eulogy written and read by Doug's son Ian
A more generous man I doubt you will ever meet.
Doug was born in Mt. Barker on 17th August 1930 to John and Edith Morris.
Dad had 3 sisters which I'm sure was an interesting dynamic for him to come to grips with. I spoke to Aunty Dorothy a few times during the last week to get a feel for what Dad was like as a kid. As a result I'm starting to question in my own mind why I got some of the clips behind the ear that I received for far lesser crimes. It pans out that on one occasion the four kids were in the backyard digging an air raid shelter when Aunty Rhonda decided it was too boring and began jumping from one side of the hole to the other.This would have irritated the hell out of him. Dad seemingly told her to stop or he's chop her foot with the axe he was swinging. Well she jumped and he swung. Whilst he didn't quite chop her foot off I understand he got a fair flogging for his efforts. Aunty Rhonda was probably the lucky one because as we all know he was a man of his word.
Aunty Dorothy did say that during their childhood he received a fair share of belting's that should have gone her way. But Dad wad Dad, protect others, take it on the chin (or wherever) and move on. I was surprised to hear though that he wasn't one to take on his older sister Maureen. Boy I wished I'd known that earlier because I could have used it to my benefit.
Lucky for Marie and me he liked a beer. For it was in 1952 my grandfather "Uncle George" took him home from the pub to meet his niece, the woman who was to become our Mum. Uncle George and Dad enjoyed more than the odd beer together and there was always a fair bit of finger pointing as to who led who astray.
Early on things were not all smooth sailing between Mum and Dad, for after a tiff he ran off for some 12 months to join the Army and in Sep/Oct 1954 he came back, proposed and they were married in December that year. And no my sister didn't come along for another 3 years.
Those of you who knew Dougie well would know he wouldn't want too much fuss made over his passing "I'm gone" he'd say," move on" Above all else though he would want to be happy in the knowledge that those of us who are left will look after the love of his life, Mum or "Haggis" as liked to call her. I must admit she had a fair bit of competition at times over the years when he'd just bought a new power tool of some description.
His family was central to his life. Mum and Dad were home bodies who enjoyed nothing better then being at home in each other's company. Dad was blessed with 5 grandsons. And when "Golden Boy" Simmo became part of our family Shannon became the 6th grandson. "Pa" to them all. When he was in a down mood these guys knew how to push the right buttons and he would never turn them away.
Dad took immense pride in the fact that he served in the Army. After leaving the armed forces he took a job as Head of Security at the Art Gallery of South Australia until his retirement. He told me on numerous occasions that retirement was the busiest time of his life. There wouldn't be too many here today that haven't experienced his giving nature or his home handy man skills. "Jack of all Trades - Master of Some"
Dad was by no means an east bloke to work with. He had 2 ways of working "His Way" or alternatively "His Way". It took a brave person to suggest another approach. It saved a hell of a lot of time if you just shut up and get on with doing it his way.
Eric shared the story of when he and Dad's mate Harold helped Dad with some concreting. Eric was one of the few who could take him on in regards to a different approach to doing something. On this particular day they were "discussing" and I use the term loosely, how they were going to do the concreting when Harold let it be known he was going on the mixer. "Why"? they asked, - possible both surprised by the interruption "so I can't hear you 2 arguing the point".
I think the luckiest escape these guys had was the day they decided (and it wasn't that long ago) to replace a rusted air tank on a compressor with a heavy duty plastic bottle. As I understand it they were standing over the compressor filling the bottle when they decided that it would build up pressure and shut itself off so they walked away. Fate stepped in that day because as they walked away it went off with an almighty bang. Has they stayed where they were we would have lost them both. This was the first time I've ever known these 2 to be speechless and shock/horror an admission of how lucky they's been
He spend a night in hospital just prior to his death. The day we bought him home, Anthony, Simmo and myself went about splitting some firewood. I was the lucky one, I got to split my share before the foreman rocked up. Anthony and Simmo were subsequently given instructions on their technique and what they were doing wrong. It's alright guys I picked up another 1/2 ton so there's plenty more for you to practice on.
Dad was by no means perfect. But he had the perfect outlook on how he felt you should treat others. Mateship was very important to Dad.
Dad was never one to back away from anything new. There he was in his 70's learning the frustrations of operating a computer. He used to laugh his head off when he's show the grandkids something new he'd learnt and they'd say "that's great Pa but instead of those 10 keystrokes why don't you just press this button"?
I could go on and on about the Rotarian, the Freemason, the volunteer gardener at Carrick Hill and the man who swam through floodwaters in Tasmania to assist an elderly woman, but it all comes back to the man who had to give.
He was a man who could love and laugh and above all else he was there for everyone.
My cousin Cathy, at the funeral of her Dad, Uncle Johnny said "a man's character is measured not by his achievements, rather by the quality of his family and friends and his wealth is measured by their treasured memories of him.
I look around this room today satisfied that my Dad died a wealthy man.
Finally my kids came to me this week during one of the many times I was struggling and said "Dad Pa's not gone, he's in here and will be forever"
This week we lost a husband, a father, a grandfather and most importantly a mate.
More About Douglas Vaughan Morris:
Record Change: 02 Aug 2004
More About Douglas Vaughan Morris and Ada Grant Beattie:
Private-Begin: Private
Children of Douglas Vaughan Morris and Ada Grant Beattie are: