Roy L. Morris

March 7, 1950-Feb. 17, 2016

Roy L. Morris, 65, died Feb. 17, 2016. A 60-year resident of Homer, Roy died as he lived: on the move, always working, rarely slowing down or taking a break. A potluck celebration of Roy’s life is from noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, at the Homer Elks Lodge.

Roy was born March 7, 1950, in Silva, Mo. At 5 years of age he came to Alaska with his parents to experience homesteading on Greer Road. He attended Homer schools and graduated from Homer High School in 1968. He served his country on a 4-year hitch in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War as a cook in Kodiak, Bermuda, Maine and Maryland. Proudly he’d say, “I served in the Navy, but never onboard a ship.”

Roy founded Snowbird Enterprises in 1977 and was on the job when the angels called him. Whether it was roadbuilding, land clearing or excavation, Roy took pride in his work. His favorite projects were envisioning and sculpting raw land into a work of art to be proud of. Watching Roy run his equipment could be captivating. His nephew, Ted, had never built a road when he created one for State Forestry. When asked how he did it, he simply said, “I just tried to think like Uncle Roy.”

“A lover of coffee and conversation, he could be found most mornings at a local restaurant swapping stories, advice and jokes with friends. Always willing to help others in any way he could, Roy would show up with a smile and some words of wisdom to turn a bad day around. Roy often said of others ‘he’d give you the shirt off his back.’ Little did he know that also applied to him. His many friends and family will miss his quick wit, positive attitude and can-do spirit. There’s going to be a shortage of jokes in Homer for awhile now,” his family said.

Roy lived life and left on his own terms, ignoring the health advice of his doctors by working hard, smoking cigarettes and indulging in the all-American meal, a cheeseburger with fries and a Coke.

Roy was predeceased by his parents, Loyd and Edna Morris.

He is survived by his son, Byron Morris, and brother and sister-in-law, Fred and Michelle Morris of Homer; nephews and spouses Fred (Mary) Morris of Hoquiam, Wash., Ted (Jeanne) Morris of Tok, Same (Kaari) Morris and Robert (Roxy) Morris of Fairbanks; niece, Tiffany of Amboy, Wash., and many friends acquired in his life here.