George Sanders Morris

George Sanders Morris, most precious beloved husband of Joan Maynard Morris, died peacefully at his home in the early morning hours of August 6, 2021. He was 90.
George graduated from Druid Hills High School at the age of 16, followed by one year of preparatory school at Darlington School in Rome, Ga. He graduated from Emory University (ATO fraternity and Sigma Delta Psi honorary athletic fraternity) in Decatur, Ga., but always considered the U.S. Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Fla., his alma mater. That is where he said he "grew up" and matured. In fact, he was selected to attend "Top Gun" while in Pensacola.
George served in the United States Navy during the Korean conflict, flying jets off aircraft carriers. He enjoyed his time in the "Far East" and told many stories about his adventures in Japan. George retired from the Naval Reserves as Commander.
In 1974, George took his new family to live in Dunedin, Fla. As an executive in the savings and loan industry (at Decatur Federal, Clearwater Federal, Pioneer Savings Bank), he rose to executive vice president. But his passion was always flying, usually with his precious co-pilot Joan. During their life in Florida, George also flew his trusty World War II era SNJ Naval trainer "The Jaybird" in
air shows, leading squadrons in dangerous aerobatics and extraordinary feats of gifted flying -- loops and hammerheads and wing-to-wing formations. People would often line up after one of his shows to get his autograph.
George served in a variety of civic organizations over the years including Atlanta Jaycees, Goodwill Industries, National Heart Association, American Cancer Society, and Lion's Club. He was particularly proud of his association with the Naval Aviation Museum where he was a plank owner and life member of the Foundation.
George was raised and very active at Druid Hills United Methodist Church until his move to Florida. He was blessed to be a member of St. James United Methodist Church of St. Petersburg, Fla., where his dear childhood friend the Rev. Dr. John Few pastored.
A true Renaissance man, George excelled at whatever he attempted: golf, painting, dancing, singing, writing, and public speaking. His children describe him as a loving and humble man of strong faith, a solid patriotic American, honest, decent, chivalrous and wise, and truly a man of honor.
In 1988, George and Joan returned to sweet Georgia, settling at their current home they called "Piney Woods."
George was pre-deceased by his parents Joseph Lawrence Morris and Elizabeth Sanders Morris; sisters Joanne Morris Ford, Jackie Sherrill, and Harriet
Walker; brother-in-law Charles Nelson Maynard; and his beloved childhood nanny Bessie York. He is survived by the love of his life Joan Maynard Morris, Tucker, Ga.; daughter Mary Amy Morris Elton (Chris), Macon, Ga.; son Kevin Lawrence Morris, Los Angeles, Calif.; and the rest of Joan's children whom he loved and raised as his own: Victoria "Tori" Mathews Morgan (Ed, dec.), Grayson, Ga., Troy Vernon "Matt" Mathews, Jr. (Charon), Decatur, Ga., and Krista Mathews Coggins, Tucker; sister Dorothy Olsen, Mt. Pleasant, Tenn.; grandchildren: Troy Vernon "Trey" Mathews, III; Holli Morgan Dickerson (Kent), James Roy Mathews (Candice); Rebecca Mathews Hammond (Paul); William Kirby Coggins, and Boris Sanders Elton; seven great grandchildren, brother-in-law Donald Coppedge Maynard, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at A.S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home in Decatur, Georgia, on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, at 1:00 pm. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 pm, and immediately following will be interment at Decatur Cemetery.
Those wishing to honor his memory are encouraged to send gifts in memoriam to the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation, Pensacola, Fla., www.navalaviationfoundation.org