Edward Brinton Morrow Jr's Obituary
Edward Brinton Morrow, Jr. passed away peacefully at his home in
Memphis, Tennessee on Monday April 7, 2025. He was born in Wilmington,
Delaware on April 8, 1933 to parents Edward Brinton Morrow, Sr. and Kathryn
Raudman Morrow. He was the middle born of three sons, with his older brother
Dick and little brother Peter.
Ed was a great athlete, and as a 6’4” ninth grader at Wilmington Friends
School, was immediately dispatched to the varsity basketball team, where he
played as one of the starting five who went on to win the Delaware State
Championship. After graduation from The Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania,
he married his childhood sweetheart Judy Mayfield and continued his
participation in sports at the collegiate level at The University of Delaware,
competing in both basketball and particularly baseball, where he was an
outstanding “south paw” pitcher. After college, he was scouted by the
Philadelphia Phillies, but being a husband and father at the time, he decided to
fulfill his military service obligation and then pursue a career in business.
Ed had many great memories of his service in the army and made many
friends there, friends that he kept up with his whole life. He always laughed about
his unit catching the bases’s laundry truck on fire. The Army forgave him, and he
was awarded an honorable discharge and began his professional life with his
young family. He always believed that everyone would greatly benefit from the
discipline and team work skills instilled by service in the military.
The phrase “countless numbers of friends” is occasionally overused, but in
Ed’s case, it is most appropriate. His family has literally lost count of the many
wonderful friends who provided him and his wife Judy with decades of fun,
laughter and, at the end of his life, great comfort and support.
He loved a party! And loved all social interaction, large or small. His gift for
celebrating any occasion was legendary. All parties were filled with laughter and
singing. In fact singing was always a huge part of Ed’s life as his father led the
Morrow boys in renditions of popular songs on his ukulele, often accompanied by
high hat cymbals and a gut bucket for base. Eventually every party would
become an enormous sing along lasting late into the night and finally ending with
a rousing chorus of “God Bless America”.
Of all the places that he and Judy lived, Ed loved Memphis the best. Ed and
Judy were the yankees from Delaware who were universally welcomed and
embraced by Memphis southern hospitality. It is why they remained in Memphis
for the last sixty years of their lives.
Ed had an amazing mind for business, and he was an excellent investor. His
idea of the perfect “beach read” was combing through a company annual report.
He was successful in his work and business endeavors, using his sense of
humor and prodigious people skills in sales and management at Alcoa Aluminum,
Crump Insurance and as owner and operator of Ed and Judy’s own business
Calico Corners/Fabrications.
Upon retirement, Ed and Judy purchased a vacation home in Naples,
Florida where they hosted friends and family every season for four decades and
saw thousands of gorgeous sunsets. With his great love of tennis he hosted
many “guy trips” in Naples and picked up some local club tennis championship
trophies along the way.
Above all things, Ed cherished his 71 year marriage to his wife, Judy, and
his relationships with his three children. He was a great husband and the best
father one could ever hope for, and he welcomed all additions to the family with
love, gratitude, and joy. He was Paw Paw to his grandchildren and great
grandchildren and they knew he was something special.
Ed leaves behind his three children: Steve Morrow (Nancy), Brooke Morrow,
Lisa Morten (Greg), four grandchildren: Anne Jones (Hunter), Paul Morrow (Joy),
Meredith Morten, Anna Morten and four great grandchildren: Morrow Jones,
Holland Jones, Mayfield Morrow, Reeves Morrow.
He was predeceased by his wife, Julia Mayfield Morrow, his parents, and his
brothers Dick and Peter.
The family wishes to thank the many wonderful ladies who gave outstanding
care and comfort to both Judy and Ed throughout these years: Janice Mobley,
Shirley Bowling, Tamika Chaplin, Stephanie Moore, Vicki Holmes, Sharlonda
Pruitt, and Janifer Rosser.
There will be a memorial reception held at the Memphis Hunt and Polo Club on
Friday, April 11 from 3:30 to 5:30.
Memorial contributions can be made to West Cancer Center (7945 Wolf River
Blvd, Germantown, TN 38138), The Church Health Center (1350 Concourse Ave,
Memphis, TN 38104) or the charity of your choice.
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