Veteran, postman, doting father and grandfather

Don Morrison, a lifelong Claremonter, died on Sunday, February 15, 2015. He was 96.

He was born October 28, 1918 in Claremont. His father, Adelbert Morrison, worked at Claremont Feed and Fuel, which is now part of the new Packing House district. His mother, Mina Elizabeth Morrison, also worked at the Packing House and later did laundry for many in Claremont. Don grew up on 11th Street in Claremont where his mother had built two homes. The houses still remain, with his family raising their family there.

During World War II, Mr. Morrison served in the military. He aspired to be in the army but took a wrong turn when signing up and ended up enlisting in the US Air Force, where he served from June 1944 to April 1946. He was a sheet metal worker as well as a qualified sharpshooter, and served as a corporal in the 501st Bomb Group. He received the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal and Good Conduct Medal. 

Mr. Morrison was employed by the Claremont Post Office for 38 years, delivering mail in the historic Claremont area and the Claremont Colleges. He retired in 1980. He lived in south Claremont from 1953 with his first wife, Opal, and then moved to a different area of Claremont with his second wife, Margaret. In the mid-‘70s, he and his third wife, Deana, moved to the Alta Laguna mobile home park in Rancho Cucamonga.

In his spare time, Don traveled to Europe, Mexico and Yosemite and enjoyed several cruises. Most of all, he loved to go to Hawaii, visiting a niece who lives on Maui. He also was an avid bowler in his younger days and loved to golf. When living at Alta Laguna, he always looked forward to playing pinochle with friends.

At the time of his death, Mr. Morrison was living at Oakmont Assisted Living in Chino Hills, where he had resided for the past 2 ½ years. He was extremely happy there and made many friends among other residents and staff. He will be buried with his first wife, Opal Adams, at the Pomona Valley Cemetery, which rests on what was once ranchland belonging to his mother’s family.

Mr. Morrison was also preceded in death by his second wife Margaret Stapp and his third wife Deana Kiel as well as his daughter Donna Morrison, who died in 2003. 

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Russell and Patricia Morrison of Incline Village, Nevada; by his daughter Connie Anderson and granddaughters Christie and Deanna Anderson, all of Claremont; and, most precious to him, his great-grandson Jason Anderson-Stallings, 14, of Chino and his 8-week-old great grandson Nathaniel Thomas Anderson, who he was lucky to meet.