Brian L. Morris
Staff Sergeant, United States Army
October 8, 1966 – August 21, 2005
Age – 38
Centreville, MI
Operation Iraqi Freedom
360th Transportation Company, 68th Corps Support Battalion, 43rd Area Support Group, Fort Carson, CO
Killed when his M915A1 tractor pulling a 7500 gallon tanker accidentally rolled over in Mosul, Iraq
Brian L. Morris got a lot more than poultry when he took a job at a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant. It was there that he met his wife. “He got a job there and I got a job there and the rest is history,” Lori Morris said with a chuckle. “It’s not one of those romantic places, but we’ve got our KFC story.”
Morris joined the Army after graduating from high school in 1985, where he was a star cross-country runner. When he returned years later to speak to students, he had transformed from athlete to military man, said Coral Fry, Morris’ former teacher. Fry remembered Morris as “one of the nicest, most gentlemanly students” she ever had.
A bout with testicular cancer forced Morris into temporary retirement from the Army in 1989. He re-enlisted and served in Bosnia, Afghanistan, Germany and South Korea.
He also is survived by a 5-year-old daughter, Emilee.“She was daddy’s girl,” Lori Morris said. “She is daddy’s girl. We’re so proud of him. He worked so hard.”
He was remembered by fellow soldiers as follows:
Brian,
Words cannot mention how much I missed talking to you and that morning when I was woke up from my bunk to come meet 360th when your convoy was coming in and finding out that you and PFC Arcand were killed in a rollover. Knowing that you finally had gotten your promotion and that you were leaving your wife and beautiful daughter behind was heartbreaking. I miss backbone and all the soldiers that served with us, but, you my friend I will never forget along with PFC Eldin Arcand, SGT Lizbeth Robles and SGT Negron, everyone of them outstanding soldiers. My heart goes out to all of these families and fellow soldiers, God Bless. Backbone!!!!”
SSG(R) Jason L. Trammell of Oklahoma City, OK
“I send my sympathy to the Morris Family, time has passed really fast. I pray that you all read this someday. Brian, I miss you brother in arms. It’s like 6yrs later and I still can see you walking through the living area smiling and talking to everyone. When I see Michigan football and basketball playing you are on my mind, brother. You are missed, big time. Condolences to your family back in Michigan.
SSG(RET) Mark D. Johnson of Arlington, TX, USA bwo Baghdad Iraq (2006-2011)
“SSG Morris,
Wow….it’s been a while, I just discovered this website. Losing you was one of the hardest things I ever had to experience. I can’t imagine what your family went through. May God Bless you and your family. I’m always here and I hope you here what I say to ya…Every time I see Michigan playing, you’re the first one that comes to mind, I know how much you liked that team and another one is when I hear that song from Toby Keith-“Beer for my Horses”, again you’re the first one that comes to mind, I remember you always singing that. The thing I remember most was how much you LOVED your family!!!! He always talked about you’ll and his precious, beautiful little girl!!! We always exchanged stories about them….I love you man, God Bless…”
Sgt.Gonzales, Albert of San Antonio, TX
“To the Morris Family, I served side by side with your Husband, Father,and Great Soldier. I miss you Brian, we served together in Colorado for many years and I see you in those days in Iraq, just always smiling and talking about your daughter, how much you miss her and how your eyes just lit-up when you spoke her name. I’m sorry that she will grow up without you. I will always remember you, Ole Sarge, you were part of the greatest thing in the United States Army, BACKBONE for Life. Thank you for serving your country and giving your all to keep us all FREE. Hoooyah BACKBONE. I can be reached at mdjay1965@yahoo.com“
SSG-RET. Mark D. Johnson of Arlington, TX USA