Richard "Dick" James Morris

Richard “Dick” James Morris, 83, passed away unexpectedly on April 28, 2025.

Born November 11, 1941 in Waukesha, WI, son of Willard and Ione (Fleming) Morris. He married Lois D. Brooks on August 28, 1965. Dick and Lois graduated from Arrowhead High School in 1959.

He proudly served in the Army National Guard in Oconomowoc from September 1962 to September 1968 as Staff Sergeant. Dick was a member of the Oconomowoc American Legion Post for thirty-seven years.

He attended UW-Platteville, receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture in 1968 and his Master of Science in Teaching - Agriculture in 1974.

He taught Vocational Agriculture and served as FFA Advisor at Iowa-Grant High School from 1968 to 1974. He then taught veteran farmers at Fennimore Vocational School for one year until he, Lois and Staci moved back home to join forces with his brother-in-law Bill and family, to run the Brooks family farm.

Dick and Lois farmed Brooks & Morris Farms with Bill Brooks and family from January 1976 through June 30, 2020. The dairy farm transitioned to cash crops in October 1994; running over 2,000 acres.

Dick was deeply involved in local government throughout his lifetime. He was still active with the Town of Merton, which began in 1976. His various roles and committees included; Planning Commission, Highway Department/Public Works Liaison, Supervisor and Chairman (2001-2015). Dick was also an active Waukesha County Supervisor serving on various committees including Finance, Public Works, Land Use, Parks and Environment, Human Resources, Lake Keesus & North Lake Management Districts, Park & Planning Commission, and Wisconsin River Rail Transit Commission.

In both high school and college, Dick excelled on the football field. He later went on to coach and then referee for the WIAA. In 2006, Dick was named to the Arrowhead High School 50th Anniversary team. He enjoyed snowmobiling, sports, railroads, building model trains, puzzles, traveling, card club, putzing around the farm, being on the water, going to their condo in the Wisconsin Dells, and spending time with family and friends especially his grandson, Parker.

He was a member of St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Church (previously St. Claire’s) in North Lake for fifty years.

Survivors include his loving spouse of over 59 years, Lois; daughter, Staci (Perry) Benz of Germantown, WI and grandson, Parker Benz; siblings Pat (Dennis) Richman, Dave (Margot) Morris, Jerome (Jeanette) Morris, John (Patty) Morris, brother-in-law Steven Saunders (Jeannie), brother-in-law William Brooks, sister-in-law Ann (Frank) Switalski, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; mother-in-law Frances Brooks; father-in-law Elmer Brooks; sister Arlene Saunders; and sister-in-law Maggie Morris.

In lieu of flowers to celebrate Dick’s life, please consider giving a memorial gift in his honor to St. Teresa’s Church (P.O. Box 68, North Lake, WI 53064) or to Children’s Hospital (Children’s Wisconsin Foundation, MS 3050, P.O. Box 1997, Milwaukee, WI 53201 or visit https://giving.childrenswi.org/ways-to-give/tribute-gifts).

A visitation to celebrate Dick’s life will take place on Friday, May 16, 2025 at St. Teresa of Calcutta – North Lake (W314N7462 State Hwy 83, Hartland, WI 53029) from 12:00pm-3:00pm. A service will follow, during which military honors will be accorded to Dick, recognizing his dedication and service. Following the service, Dick will be laid to rest at St. Claire's Catholic Cemetery.

The family warmly invites everyone to join them for a meal at the church following the private family burial—a time for fellowship, remembrance, and celebration of Dick’s remarkable legacy.