 John 'Jack' Wayne Morrison |
John "Jack" Wayne Morrison, of Grand Rapids, has passed away at the age of 85.
Jack was the son of Albert and Mary F. Morrison and spent most of his career as executive vice president of Morrison Industrial Equipment. He served on the MHEDA Board for eight years and was president of the association in 1979.
He graduated from Evanston High School and received his business degree from St. Joseph (IN) college.
Jack was the consummate business entrepreneur. He was a pioneer in the forklift and floor cleaning machine parts business and established a parts cross-reference system that revolutionised the industry.
He was the founder and president of Rapidparts Inc. and founder and president of Mor-Value Parts Co. and other companies.
According to an obituary in the
Grand Rapids Press, Jack was a man of character and loved to be productive. He volunteered as a deacon, elder and finance board member at Eastminster Presbyterian Church and other organisations.
Jack promoted and organised jazz music and concerts locally and nationally. He served on the board and as president of the West Michigan Jazz society and the Four Freshman Society Fan Club, attending and working at many of their national conventions.
He was a movie buff, baseball coach to his son, and long-time Lions, Tigers and MSU fan.
Jack will be greatly missed by his loving family and many cherished friends. Jack was preceded in death by his wife and love of his life, Mary K. Morrison, married 59 years; and his brother, William. He is survived by his two children, Cathy (Robert) Donaldson of Plymouth, MI, and Jeff (Jeanette) Morrison of Grand Rapids; his grandchildren, whom he loved dearly, Katie (Matt) Ealy, John (Rachel) Donaldson, Lauren Donaldson, Lindsey (Alex) Alm, Jennifer Morrison, and Mark Morrison; three great- grandchildren, Jason, Jack and Violet; and brother Richard (Judy) Morrison and sister in law Jan Morrison.
A memorial service will be held at a date yet to be determined because of the current COVID-19 situation.