Wade R. Morris Jr.

Wade Roscoe Morris, 95, passed away peacefully on January 16 at Pleasant View in Manheim, Pennsylvania.  Wade was born on April 28, 1928 in East Stone Gap, Virginia. His early life was shaped by the hard times that soon followed his birth, the example of his grandfather who taught him that any job worth doing was worth doing right, and the tender touch of his mother who taught him how to care for others and to be sure to make the three mile walk to Sunday School each week.  

Wade is the son of the late Wade Roscoe and Grace Ella (Anderson) Morris and was pre-deceased by his wife Ruth Marie (Spinn) Morris, his daughter Kimberly Jo and his sister Myrtle Jean.  He is survived by two daughters, Patricia Ruth (Robert) Willis of Modoc, South Carolina, Pamela Jean (Mark) Heller of Manheim, Pennsylvania, and Jeffrey Scott (Teresa) Morris of McKinney, Texas, 15 grandchildren, and 21 great grandchildren.

By the time Wade was 16, he was taking care of his family’s farm, re-winding electric motors for the residents of Wise County and driving the school bus for himself and the other students of East Stone Gap.  Wade got his first glimpse of the world outside of the hills of Virgina when he travelled to Fort Wayne, Indiana to retrieve a new school bus.  After high school Wade was encouraged to leave the family farm by his mother and the other local residents who saw the promise of the clever and helpful young man. Wade soon returned to Indiana where he met the love of his life Ruth, started his family, served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Electrical Engineering.

Wade’s 40-year career of doing things right with Westinghouse Corporation saw him making amazing contributions in the areas of radar systems, nuclear technologies, alternative energy sources, and hazardous waste handling and disposal. He took his family with him to lead projects in Baltimore, Maryland; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Los Alamos, New Mexico; Las Vegas, Nevada; and Aiken, South Carolina. Included among the many projects that Wade had a hand in were numerous nuclear power plants, a nuclear-powered artificial heart, a nuclear-powered rocket, early prototypes of electric cars and one of the first hydrogen powered buses.  Wade’s down-home sensibilities, earned early-on behind a mule on the family farm, later allowed him to be equally at ease in meetings on the production floor as he was in meetings with admirals or testifying in congressional sessions.

Wade became involved with many churches as he moved to new communities over the years, holding various leadership positions.  Most recently he was a member of Salem United Methodist Church in Manheim where he continued to listen to his mother’s advice and attend Sunday School as often as he could.  Prior to moving to Manheim, Wade was a long-time member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Augusta, Georgia.  Wade was always ready to lend a hand to folks in need either by rewinding a motor or simply applying some elbow grease where needed.  As Wade grew older and was increasingly less able to help others, he graciously accepted help from his family and especially his many loving friends at Amada.

From a very young age Wade had a deep respect for nature and the hand that God had in creating it.  He enjoyed all manner of outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, exploring, and later as a golfer playing many rounds with his countless friends.  Wade could often be found on his front porch taking in the Lancaster County sunshine and saying howdy to his neighbors. 

By far Wade’s happiest moments were when he was surrounded by his family.   As the family dinners and gatherings grew in size, so did Wade’s appreciation and gratitude for the love that surrounded him.  

Funeral service will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Wade’s honor to Salem United Method Church, 140 North Penn Street, Manheim, PA 17545.  Any contribution will most certainly go to help someone who Wade would have loved to help himself.