Charles Frank Morris

Charles Frank Morris passed away in Graham, Texas on November 30, 2023. He was born in Lampasas, Texas on August 15, 1946, to Willace John (W.J.) and Dorothy Morris. Charles spent four years in the United States Army as a staff sergeant while stationed in Italy and Fort Bliss. He was a lifelong learner with an insatiable desire to learn and develop new skills across many different areas of interest. In his early years, Charles worked with his father on a farm in Williamson County. He married Ellen Pitcock at First United Methodist Church, Graham in July 1971. They moved to Hutto, Texas and in 1972 Charles opened a home construction company in the Austin area.

After many successful years, Charles and Ellen moved to Bryan, Texas where he enrolled at Texas A&M to study petroleum engineering. Becoming an Aggie (Class of ’82, Whoop!) was one of his greatest joys. Never one to shy away from a challenge, Charles thrived in the academic setting. When a professor presented a formula on water injection and solvability that at the time had not been solved, Charles presented the solution in a paper, earning an acknowledgment from A&M and the opportunity to present his findings at an industry conference in New Orleans. His formula was implemented into the curriculum at A&M and continued to be taught for years.

Following his graduation from A&M, Charles accepted a position with Pitcock, Inc, and in 1984 he moved his family to Graham, Texas. He spent many years working in the oil and gas industry, eventually retiring from the Texas Railroad Commission. He then began a hobby of woodworking which he enjoyed greatly.  He had immense pride in creating beautiful pieces of art and many of his family and friends are fortunate to own one of his pieces. He was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Graham, Rotary Club of Graham, and the Young County A&M Club. 

Charles (or Poppy as his family knew him) loved to travel and many of his best memories are from trips around the country with his grandchildren – lighthouses in Cape Cod, whitewater rafting at Yellowstone, deep sea fishing in Biloxi, gelato in New York City, and Native American pow wows in Oklahoma. He was their constant supporter, often being one of the first in the audience or in the stadium, ready to cheer them on. He also liked road trips, taking the “road less traveled” to see the scenery, crops, and geography.

Charles is survived by his wife of 52 years, Ellen Pitcock; daughter, Mary Heartfield and husband Alex; daughter, Amanda Wells and Justin Masters; grandchildren, Chase, Mia, Rebecca, and Graham Heartfield, and Garrett and Emily Wells; sister, Nancy Johnson and husband Eric; mother-in-law, Mary Pitcock; sister-in-law, Suzanne Morris; brothers-in-law Louis and wife Meredith Pitcock and Tom Pitcock; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, David Morris; and his father-in-law, Louis Pitcock Jr. 

Charles will lie in state Monday and Tuesday, December 4-5 at Morrison Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held December 11^th at 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church. Memorials may be made to the Third Generation Fund at First United Methodist Church Graham (700 Third Street) or Rotary Foundation (my.rotary.org or 1560 Sherman Ave, Evanston, IL 60201).