John Kenneth Morris

John Kenneth Morris of Searcy, Arkansas, passed away on September 21, 2026, at the age of 80. He was born May 3, 1946, in Searcy to Paul and Imogene Morris.

John was endlessly curious. He loved history, language, maps, politics, nature, sports, and learning about anything and everything. He was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals and Arkansas Razorbacks fan, gardener and bass fisherman.

He was valedictorian of Harding Academy in 1964 and graduated from Harding University in 1970, where he majored in history and minored in English. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1964, attained the rank of Airman First Class, studied Russian at Indiana University in Bloomington, and received intelligence training at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, Texas.

John later worked for the Social Security Administration and the Veterans Administration before retiring with full disability in 1978. He was a Disabled American Veteran.

John is survived by his daughters, Rebecca Ingle (Sam) of Fairhope, Alabama, and Kristi Thurmon (Bryan) of Searcy; grandchildren Hunter Ingle of Raleigh, North Carolina, Lauren Ingle (Caleb Benoit) of Lafayette, Louisiana, and Drew Thurmon of Killeen, Texas; sisters Patsy Story (Ken) of Searcy, Deborah Morris of Little Rock, and Cathy Clifford of Cleburne, Texas; brother Don Morris of Memphis; sister-in-law Karen Morris of Little Rock and many other relatives and friends.

He is also remembered with love by special caregivers and friends Julie Jones, Teresa Henry and Midge Ferris.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Liz Riley Morris; his parents, Paul and Imogene Hodges Morris; his brothers, Jerry and Stephen Morris; and his sister, Wilma Shinley.

A private service will be scheduled for a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to his favorite charity, St. Jude Children's Hospital.