Howard B. Morrison

Howard B. Morrison, 84, passed away peacefully in his sleep at Kairos Dwelling in Kalamazoo on Friday, April 3, 2015. He was born on Dec. 9, 1930, in Kalamazoo to the late Leona Morrison and the late Paul E. Morrison, the former mayor of Kalamazoo. He attended Barbour Hall Military Academy for seventh and eighth grade, graduated from State High School in 1948 and earned his bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University in 1952. Morrison went on to earn a graduate gemologist degree from the Gemological Institute of America in 1960. He worked for Morrison Jewelers, a family business started by Paul Morrison, for 60 years, eventually becoming president and owner of the business. He retired in 2007. He was a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church for 57 years, singing in the choir and serving as a lay reader; a longtime member of the Rotary Club of Kalamazoo, and past president of the Advertising Council of the Michigan Retailers Association. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Marcia J. Morrison; four children Barbara A. McNeil and her husband David McNeil, of Yokosuka, Japan; Diane L. Morrison, Cynthia J. Morrison and Michael J. Morrison, all of Kalamazoo; four grandchildren Marlyre, Nicholas and Julia Morrison of Kalamazoo; and Brenna McNeil of Yokosuka, Japan; and a cousin Marian Jean Morrison of West Lafayette, IN. Visitation will be held 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 South 9th Street, Kalamazoo. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 9, at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 247 W. Lovell St. Inurnment will follow in St. Luke's Columbarium. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke's Episcopal Church or Kairos Dwelling.