Douglas Keith Morris

Sussex - Douglas Keith Morris, age 75 passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, July 22, 2023 after a long illness. He was born and raised in Sussex, NJ. Born to the late John Morris, Jr. and Betty (Space) Morris on November 03, 1947, Douglas graduated Sussex High School and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on March 25, 1966. He left for basic training to Parris Island, South Carolina on June 24, 1966. Douglas attended ITR at Camp Geiger, completed his MOS School before being shipped out to Vietnam, December 1966, 6 months after enlisting. While in Vietnam, he served with the 2nd BN-11th Marines-1st Marine Division. The 2nd BN-11th Marines supported the 5th Marine Regiment. They served I Corps, which included the four northern most provinces of Vietnam which are Quang Tri, Thua Thien, Quang Nam, and Quang Tin. During 1967, he served in numerous operations and sweeps. Upon his return to the States in January of 1968, Douglas was first sent to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. By May of 1968, he was transferred to 8th & I Marine Barracks in Washington, DC. While stationed at 8th & I, he participated in President Nixon’s first Inauguration, he participated in the funeral, escort and burial of Former President General Dwight D. Eisenhower, and he was part of the honor guard detachment who picked up Robert Kennedy’s body at Union Station for its return to Washington, DC. Douglas was promoted to the rank of Sergeant before receiving an Honorable Discharge. While in the service, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal with 2 stars, Vietnamese Campaign Medal, with Device, Presidential Unit Citation with 2 stars, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry Unit Award. While being stationed in Washington, DC., he married his high school sweetheart, Katrinka (Kathy) Aukema on October 09, 1969. Upon leaving the Marine Corps, Douglas moved back to Sussex, bought a home, where he and his wife raised three children. Throughout his career, he worked for John Morris, Jr. Trucking, NJ Zinc Mines, Westbrook Farms and Ryder Rendering in PA. He finished his career with the United Parcel Service (UPS) where he worked over 27 years as a Tractor Trailer Driver before retiring in 2010. Douglas served on Sussex Boro Town Council. He was a member of the American Legion Post 213, the Marine Corps League, and the 1st Marine Division Association. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Beemerville, NJ, where he sang in the choir, and served as an Elder and Deacon. In his retirement, he was an organizer and supporter of the USMC Toys for Tots program where he proudly served for many years. Douglas enjoyed so many things in life. He loved to talk to anyone who would listen. He had many stories of cherished childhood memories. The Sussex and Beemerville communities were very important to him. He loved to hunt, and hanging out, up in Beemerville, with the guys were some of his favorite pastimes. He learned a love for ice fishing at a very young age while spending time with his Uncle Sonny, a love that he wanted to pass on to his grandchildren. He enjoyed boating and would learn to sail, which was a life long goal. He also enjoyed hiking and long walks. At 65, he decided to go skydiving and jump out of a perfectly good plane, a bucket list item of his. But out of all the things he enjoyed, he loved his family and spending summers up at the lake with his grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, John Morris, Jr. and Betty (Space) Morris; his sister, Betsy Hopper; and his Father and Mother in laws, John and Wilma Aukema. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Katrinka, of 54 years; his sisters, Vickie Dale and her husband, Jim and Julie Masker and her husband Ken; and his children, Jonathan Morris and his wife Sharon, Gretchen McDonald and her husband Rich, and Ingrid Langenbach and her husband Craig. He was Granddad to 9 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson and had many nieces and nephews, who all adored him and will miss him terribly. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 27, 2023 at the Beemerville First Presbyterian Church, 226 CR-519, Sussex, NJ. Interment will immediately follow at Beemerville Cemetery. Friends may pay their respects to the family on Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Pinkel Funeral Home, 31 Bank Street (Route 23), Sussex, NJ with American Legion services at 7 p.m.. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Douglas Morris’ memory to the American Legion Post 213, P.O. Box 447, Sussex, NJ 07461, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516. Online condolences may be offered to the family on www.pinkelfuneralhome.com

Douglas Keith Morris

November 3, 1947 - July 22, 2023