Donald Eugene Morie

August 11, 2011 Donald Eugene Morie took his heavenly flight surrounded in his home by his loving wife, children and grandchildren on Wednesday, November 19, 2008, shortly before 6:00 pm. Don was born in Chaffee, MO on November 23, 1930. Don was the oldest child of George and Opal Morie's three children, who moved their family to Memphis, TN when Don was six years old. Don married Helen Gwendolyn (Insco) Morie on October 17, 1952, and they celebrated their 56th anniversary this year. Don volunteered for a four year term in the Navy during the Korean War, working as a navigator for carrier aircraft. After his navy years, Don obtained a Bachelors degree in Business from the University of Tennessee, and a Masters degree in Education and Administration from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX. Don began serving in the Southern Baptist church, working first in churches in Tennessee, and also spending five years with the Southern Baptist Convention's Baptist Brotherhood. In 1970, Don moved with his family to Tulsa, OK, serving first with Immanuel Baptist Church, where he started the first Hispanic outreach in Tulsa; and then for 16 years at Gracemont Baptist Church, from which he retired in 1991. He was also appointed to be on the Board of Directors of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, where he served for four years, beginning in 1995. In 1994, Don took yet another position as administrator at Arrow Heights Baptist Church in Broken Arrow, OK, where he worked faithfully, even through the last years of his illness. His retirement celebration was planned for this upcoming Sunday, November 23, also Don's 78th birthday, to be held in honor of his 14 years of service. All together, Don worked for 47 years in the Southern Baptist Church. Besides his work in the church, Don also worked as chairman for the Little Lighthouse Educational Center for Special Children;
served in leadership in Precept Upon Precept Bible study; was committee chairman for Institute in Basic Life Principles for 20 years; was in leadership in International Hospital Christian Fellowship for seven years; and participated in overseas mission work in Mexico, France, England, Germany and Israel, as well as many mission projects locally and nationally. Don was diagnosed with Pulmonary fibrosis in 2004, and told he had about a year or two to live. Four years later, Don was still going strong, working at the church, working out at the gym and entertaining family and friends in his home. Don was only confined to his bed the last five days of his life, where he said he was at peace to go to be with the Lord, keeping his positive outlook and joyful spirit with all his family and friends who visited him. Don will be greatly missed by those who survive him; his devoted wife, Helen Gwendolyn Insco Morie; his three children and their spouses and his 24 grandchildren; Scott and Sharon Morie of Broken Arrow, OK and their six children - Murry (Rachel Winneger Morie), Heather, Paige, Melissa, Don and Kimberly; Brant and Tamika Morie of Inola, OK and their ten children - Faith, Hannah, Josiah, Seth, Leah, Cherish, Esther, Christian, Lydia and Nathan; and Bret and Bette (Morie) Snipes of Claremore, OK and their eight children - Sallie, Helen, Anna, Rebekah, Elizabeth, Jonathan, Natalie and Daniel. He is also survived by his sister, Doris Pierotti, sister-in-law Mary Ann Morie as well as cousins, nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held at Indian Springs Baptist Church, 7815 S. Elm Place, Broken Arrow; from 4:00-8:00 pm Friday, November 21. The funeral service will be held at Arrow Heights Baptist Church, 3201 S. Elm Pl., Broken Arrow, at 11:00 am, Saturday, November 22. Graveside service will be held at Ft. Gibson National Cemetery, Ft. Gibson, at 11:00 am, Monday, November 24. Memorial contributions can be made to Indian Springs Baptist Church Building Fund, 7815 S. Elm Pl., Broken Arrow, OK 74011; Arrow Heights Baptist Church Baptist Church Building Fund, 3201 S. Elm Pl., Broken Arrow, OK 74012; or The Little Lighthouse, 5120 E. 36th St., Tulsa, OK 74135. Kennedy-Amis-Kennard Funeral Service of Broken Arrow, 251.5331