Theodore Willard Morris, age 81, of Maumee,Ohio passed from this life on Friday, October 2, 2009. Born on November 5, 1927, he was the son of George R. and Laura H. (Miller) Morris. He lived in Maumee across the street from his birthplace. Ted attended Maumee High School but was educated by hard work from an early age working from the time he had a daily Toledo Blade paper route and helping out with his family restaurant and gas station on the corner of Detroit Avenue and River Road in the 1930's. Ted was a 4th generation native of Maumee who always had a story about the way Maumee "used to be". His memory of old Maumee businesses and people was such a special gift that spurred an interest of local history for his family. He always enjoyed pointing out the numerous homes of his past ancestors and telling stories about them that he shared to the very end. Ted was very proud of his great-grandfather who built canal boats at the end of their street and the Anthony Wayne Trail. Ted took great pride in the fact he was a master"do it yourselfer"who could repair anything automotive to a dripping faucet. He drove trucks of chemicals and fuel oil for Miller Oil Company for 20 years then joined the construction company of his old and dearest friend Lloyd Weaver where he drove heavy equipment and was a mechanic for Weaver's Excavating and Construction vehicles for 13 years. After Lloyd closed his business he was hired by Reitzel Trucking Co. inPerrysburg when he retired in1989. Since driving was his passion he and his wife Marion took many road trips to their favorite destinations throughout our country.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Marion; daughter, Theodora, of Bradenton, Fla. grandson Gary W.Olson (Jana) ; granddaughter, Nicole Olson-Vescio (Nicholas) step granddaughters, Katharine (John) Costantini, and Mary (William) Churchill III; and great grandchildren, Zachary and Hailey Olson. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother George Morris Jr., Helen Eade, and Evelyn Young. Visitation will be Tues. from 2-8pm at Maison Dardenne Funeral Home. Burial at Roth Cem. in Monclova.