Roll Call Tribute

Don H. Morrison

August 18, 1931 - November 25, 2022

Don H. Morrison, age 91, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 25, 2022 at TruCare Living Center in Columbus. Don was born on August 18, 1931 in Luling to R. L. Morrison and Irma (Owen) Morrison. During his life, he lived in Corpus Christi, The Masonic Children's Home in Fort Worth, San Diego, Blanco, Houston, and his last 51 years have been happily spent in Columbus. After graduating from Blanco High School in 1949, Don attended Texas A&M College where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets. He graduated in 1953 with a B.S. degree in Industrial Education and graduated in 1954 with a M. Ed. Degree in Industrial Education. Fulfilling his military commitment, Don was commissioned into the U.S. Air Force serving his two year contract before being honorably discharged from the Air Force in May 1956 at the rank of 1st Lieutenant. During his contract, he was stationed in Denver, CO and later in Rapid City, SD.

Don met and married his high school sweetheart, Charlene Moellenberg, on May 27, 1951 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Blanco. In 1962, they welcomed daughter, Linda, who was a blessing to his life.

Don's work career was primarily centered in the automotive industry. He worked for International Harvester Company as a heavy truck engineer and later Tenneco in the motor vehicle purchasing department. In 1971, Don fulfilled his dream of owning an automobile dealership when he purchased Meyer Motor Company in Columbus from H.P. Meyer. The dealership at that time was located in the Stafford Opera House. The dealership was renamed Don Morrison Ford, Inc. and sold Ford and Mercury brand automobiles (along with Chrysler, Plymouth and Dodge automobiles for a few years). Don sold the dealership in 1994. Don also owned Angleton Ford -Mercury, Inc. from 1981-1990 and La Grange Ford Lincoln-Mercury, Inc. from 1976-1989, then giving the dealership to his daughter to own/operate until 2001.

While the dealerships did not allow for much spare time, Don enjoyed league bowling, watching Aggie athletics, watching Indy Car racing and spending time at Lake LBJ boating and jet skiing. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Columbus, The American Legion Post 383, the Caledonia Masonic Lodge and the Colorado County German Society. He was a past member of the Columbus Rotary Club and the Columbus Community Hospital Board at the time of the original hospital was built.

Don is survived by his wife of 71 years, Charlene, and one daughter, Linda Morrison, and her fiance', Paul Mikula of La Grange. He is also survived by nieces Diane Bader (Hood), Ann Hopkins (Wyman), Mandy Robinson and by nephews Ron Moellenberg (Susan) and Jerry Moellenberg (Diane). Don is also survived by numerous great nieces and nephews, cousins and dear young friend, Taylor Morrow. He is also survived by the many treasured friends that have been a part of his life and by his Ford dealer friends.

Don was preceded in death my his parents; step-father, O.B. Hill; in-laws, Emil and Annie Moellenberg; brothers-in-law, Emmett Moellenberg and Alois Moellenberg (Mavis); and dear family friends, John and Emma Hignite.

Pallbearers include Michael Corker, Dwight Mazac, Mark Moellenberg, Tim Moellenberg, Jerry Owen, Curtiss Schonenberg and Carlo Triolo.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, November 29th from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Henneke Funeral Home in Columbus. Funeral services will be on Wednesday, November 30th, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Columbus at 11:00 AM. Burial will be held at the Rutersville Cemetery in Rutersville at 3:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, 201 Veterans Dr., Columbus, TX or your charity of choice.