JAMES MORRIS Obituary

JAMES GARY MORRIS Funeral services for James Gary Morris, 74, will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, in the Craddock Memorial Chapel, with Father Ratterman of St. Mary Catholic Church officiating. A private family burial will follow. James passed away on Friday, July 4, 2025, at the age of 74 years, 3 months, and 25 days. He was born on March 10, 1951, in Victoria, Texas, to Carl Alonzo and Alta Mae (Schott) Morris. James was many things: an Aviator, Father, Friend, and Racer. His passion for flight took root early in life, beginning with his training at American Flyers Flight Academy in Ardmore, where he later became a flight instructor. His professional flying career began as a corporate pilot for Samedan Oil Corporation, also in Ardmore. He went on to fly commercially as a First Officer for Continental Airlines on the Boeing 727, and later as a Captain for America West Airlines on the Airbus A320 and A321. James concluded his aviation career with American Airlines, retiring as a Captain with the distinguished CAT III rating. Beyond the skies, James had a fierce love for racing, particularly in high school and beyond racing motorcycles on the flat dirt tracks in Texas where many weekends were spent under the lights. He loved building, tuning, and racing the very motorcycles he poured his heart into. One of his fellow racers said, "James was one of the best, he knew what he was doing, and he loved to win". His garages in Victoria and then Ardmore became more than a workspace; it was a gathering place where he mentored fellow racers, shared his knowledge, worked on engines, and fostered a community rooted in a shared passion for motorsports. James will be remembered for his adventurous spirit, mechanical mind, the need for speed, and generous heart. He is survived by his children, Austin Morris and Ashley Yeatts, who carry forward his legacy of curiosity, strength, and love; beloved niece, Rhonda Schaefer. He is proceeded in death by his sister Patricia Morris Schaefer.