Morton, Frank LeRoy (1920 - 2003)

MORTON, REED, COUGILL, THOMPSON, CATE, GRAN, MORROW, MELLER

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 4/29/2024 at 19:31:46

Frank LeRoy Morton, 83, of West Okoboji, died Saturday, November 22, 2003, at Longhouse Residence in Spencer.

Services were held Tuesday, November 25, 2003, at First Christian Church in Spencer. Burial was at Riverside Cemetery at Spencer with military services by Glen Pedersen Post #1.

Memorials may be sent to Hospice of Clay County or Milford Fire & Emergency Rescue services.

Frank LeRoy, the son of Faye and Helen Reed Morton was born Jund 24, 1920 in Cherokee. His childhood years were spent in Cherokee where he received his education. LeRoy entered the military on September 22, 1942, and was a U.S. Navy veteran of W.W. II having served in the Pacific Theatres mostly aboard the USS Trenton. He was honorably discharged on October 4, 1945. Following his discharge from the Navy, LeRoy was employed as a job printer at the Spencer Daily Reporter for over 15 years.

On December 16, 1939, LeRoy married Wilma Cougill in Cherokee and early years of their marriage were spent in Spencer. In 1960, LeRoy and his wife owned and operated the White Oaks campground and Bait Shop West Okoboji until his retirement in 1973. He served many years as a volunteer on the Spencer fire Department and an active member of Glen Pederson Post #1. American Legion for 58 years, having served as Post Commander and District Vice Commander. He served as a council member for West Okoboji for over 30 years.

LeRoy was known for his outstanding skills as a taxidermist and wrote many articles of interest under the name of “Isaac Okoboji” for the Iowa Great Lakes Shopper. He loved to fish and hunt and was a charter member of the Iowa Great Lakes Fishing Club and Pheasants Forever. He served as President of the USS Trenton Reunion committee for over 30 years.

He was preceded in death by his wife Wilma, parents, Fay and Helen; brothers: Fred of Cherokee and James of Boise, Idaho; sisters Velda of Terre Haute, Ind. And son, Timothy of Polk City.

Survivors include: his companion Cora Thompson, his children: Farrel Morton and his wife Patricia of Winsor Locks, Conn., Roberta Cate and Ronnie of Spencer; Jeanie Gran and husband John of McPherson, Kans.; Michael Morton and wife Debra of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; daughter-in-law Patricia Morton of Polk City; 13 grandchildren; 30 great grandchildren; brothers Robert of Cherokee and Norman of Brazil, Ind.; sisters: Donna Morrow of Cherokee and Mary Meller of Bennett, Wisc.; other relatives and friends. (Source: Former Cherokee County Historical Society Scrapbook. Clipping hand dated 11-26-2003.)