Clifford "Cliff" Morris

VERONA - Clifford W. "Cliff" Morris, age 80, passed away peacefully at home into the presence of his Savior on Saturday, December 2, 2017. He was born in Brooklyn, NY on March 7, 1937, to the late Helen (Acosta) and Clifford Morris. He attended New Utrecht High School in Brooklyn, NY. His studies included commercial art, music and business, and received a full scholarship to the School of Industrial Arts, NY City. At age 18, his family relocated to Los Angeles, CA. With the help of an uncle in the entertainment business, Cliff landed his first job as an actor in the movie "Rebel Without A Cause". Although this was the only film of his acting career, it was a memorable one!

Cliff entered the National Guard and later transferred to the U.S. Army Reserves, serving a total of 7 years, and was honorably discharged Staff SGT, Quartermaster Corp.

He was joined in marriage to Suzanne Pankow on June 26, 1982 in Mound, MN. For most of his career, Cliff worked as an independent sales representative in the gift industry, traveling a 5 state area. He and his wife also established an Independent Insurance Agency together, working side by side for a few years...[more]

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He retired at 62 to home-school his son Chris for a few years, returned to work as a real estate leasing agent, and ended retiring after working part time in electrical sales at Menards at age 78.

Cliff loved the mountains and the adventure of traveling to new places with his family. His favorite places included Bryce Canyon, Zion Nat'l Park, Grand Canyon, Mount Charleston, and Pikes Peak. Cliff loved jazz and playing tenor saxophone. He shared a love of cars and motorcycles with his sons, and the love of geology with his daughter. He also enjoyed boating, camping trips, and shooting at the gun range with family and friends.

Cliff accepted the Lord as his Savior, and was a member of the Madison Church of Christ since 2001 when his family moved back to Wisconsin. He had strong spiritual convictions, remained faithful to the Lord, and claimed his victory! He touched many lives and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his loving wife, Suzanne; four children, Christopher Morris, Clifford Morris Jr, Tauna (Gary) Gesualdi, and Lynn (Ron) Powdrill; four grandchildren, Brianna (Francisco) Roman, Marissa Wilson, Samantha Wilson, and Jasmine Morris; six great-grandchildren, Alexis, Adrianna and Alina Roman, June Wilson, Santana and Mia Morris; his sister, Helene (Pat) Pizzuta; nephew, Brian (Rena) Pizzuta; and nieces, Jaclyn (Nick) Juliano and Barbara Swaggerty. He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, LeeAnn Morris; by a sister, Barbara (Larry) Napolitano; sisters, Virginia Principe and Dorothy McFarland.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Agrace HospiceCare, Dr. Wood, and the staff at Dean St. Mary's cardiology department for their caring support.

Celebration of Cliff's life will held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 8, 2017, at Capital City Church, 401 N. Blackhawk Ave., Madison with Rev. Tom Nuelle presiding. Friends may greet the family from 1:00 p.m until the time of the service.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Madison Church of Christ, or HOPE Worldwide (www.hopeww.org).


Cress
Funeral and Cremation Service
6021 University Ave. Middleton
608-238-8406 To read the full obituary, please click here: http://www.cressfuneralservice.com/obituary/227967/Clifford-Cliff-Morris