Obituary

Richard Arthur Morris of Mission Viejo, California, passed away peacefully on December 18, 2025, at the age of 87 years after a brief hospitalization.

Richard was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on July 19, 1938, to Mary Josephine Morris (née Nichols) and John J. Morris, Jr.  His first childhood home was in Roxbury, after which he moved to Dorchester where his mother and stepfather, George Grogan, raised him and his three younger siblings.

In 1956, Richard enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and soon transferred to the Air Force.  He married Mary Germain (Gerri) Parkinson on February 13, 1959.  Upon his discharge from the Air Force in 1960, he began a lengthy career for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as an air traffic controller and manager.

Richard worked as a controller at Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles International Airport, as well as the Coast TRACON on the El Toro Marine Base. He later became Chief of San Diego International Airport and Deputy Chief of Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu, Hawaii.

After a brief retirement from the FAA, he began training air traffic controllers with the Fortier Group under contract with the federal government. He officially retired in 2019 at 80 years old.

Along with his FAA career, he joined his wife in partnership in their ministry, Crisis Communicators International, which focused on Christian relationships in the United States, Israel and Japan.  He was also privileged to serve as an Elder at Mission Viejo Christian Church.

Richard cherished time spent with his wife and family celebrating milestones and achievements, but what his children and grandchildren will remember the most is the time that he spent in conversation with them. He was a good listener and a wise counsel.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents, Mary and George Grogan, and John J. Morris, Jr; his sister, Mary Eleanor Rogers (née Morris); his niece, Joanne Rogers; his nephew, George Rogers; his sister-in-law, Sandra Morris and his eldest grandson, Ryan Harvey.

Richard is survived by his loving wife, Gerri; his children, Jacqueline (Peter) Changala, Diana (Eric Wojner) Gaines, Judith Jones and Richard Paul (Reyna) Morris. He was deeply loved by his twelve grandchildren and fifteen great grandchildren. He also leaves behind his dear sister and brother Jacqueline (James) Brangiforte and John Morris, and many beloved nieces and nephews in Massachusetts.

A private family burial will be held at Miramar National Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held at a later date for friends and family to gather to share memories of Richard.

Our heartfelt thanks go to the medical and chaplain staff at Providence Mission Hospital. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Richard’s memory to the Pastoral Care Fund at Providence Mission Hospital Foundation. Checks should be payable to Providence Mission Hospital Foundation with the gift designated to the Pastoral Care Fund. The mailing address is:

Providence Mission Hospital Foundation
27800 Medical Center Road, Medical Office Building 2, Suite 330
Mission Viejo, CA 92691

The phone number is 949.365.7044 should you have any questions.

You may also choose the following link:  https://supportmissionhospital.org/pastoralcare

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”  (John 11: 25-26 NIV) – Jesus Christ