Obituary for Gene Morse

Gene Morse

January 13, 1927 – September 10, 2017

Irma Gene Morse, 90, passed away peacefully Sunday, September 10, 2017. A celebration of her life will be held 2 pm Friday, September 15, 2017 at St. Paul’s Methodist Church, 1904 N. Pecan Rd., Ponca City, OK with Pastor Cindy Riedel officiating.

Gene was born on January 13, 1927 to John Ed Perryman and Mittie Elvira Hollomon Perryman in Dubberly, LA. She was the 12th of 14 children and after high school divided time between living with siblings until she found herself in Rangely, CO where she met Jay Morse. They were married on October 31, 1948. After marrying, the couple traveled with Jay’s work to Ruston, LA, Falfurrias, TX, Pleasington, TX and Sweetwater, TX before ending up in Norman, OK for four years while Jay attended OU. While in Norman, Gene worked for the Norman Chamber of Commerce. After Jay’s graduation they moved to Ponca City when he took a job with Conoco. The marriage produced three children, Pat, Becky and Laura. Gene loved being a stay-at-home mom while the children grew up and then being a grandmother to Kyle and Valerie.

While living in Ponca City, Gene took up the game of golf and became a regular on the course. She was active first with the Wentz Golf Course women’s group before joining the Ponca City Country Club. Gene won the club championship numerous times and also participated in many women’s state championships.

The game of Bridge was also a passion of Gene’s, as she played in several bridge clubs in Ponca City. She was an avid reader and was finally convinced to take up reading on a Kindle as books began to take up too much space in the home.

Gene was a big sports fan and especially loved the Oklahoma Sooners and New England Patriots. Traveling was also a highlight for her and when combined with sports was even better. She often traveled to away Sooner football and basketball games which gave her the chance to visit and discover new places across the U.S. while attending many memorable games. Gene also loved tennis and enjoyed attending Wimbledon in London, the French Open in Paris, and the U.S. Open in New York City with her daughters.

Gene is survived by her husband Jay and daughters Becky of Oklahoma City, Laura of Los Angeles, CA., daughter-in-law Marilyn Young and grandchildren Kyle and Valerie of Chandler, OK along with numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son Pat and 12 of her brothers and sisters.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Oklahoma Chapter of the American Lung Association, 730 W. Wilshire Blvd. Suite 105, Oklahoma City, OK 73120. A viewing will be held from 6-8 pm on Thursday, September 14 at Trout Funeral Home, 505 W.

Source: Trout Funeral Home