A hero in so many ways. Morris McCarver was just one of those old guys in my in-laws group called the "Old Country Club" in Orange County California. The Old Country mentioned in the name was Oklahoma, and even more specifically graduates of Central State College (now the University of Central Oklahoma).
Then I came back from Vietnam and all of a sudden these were real people with real stories. I guess I had passed the initiation. They were pilots and navigators for the most part during WWII. Morris was a Captain flying out of Africa and then Sardinia piloting a B-36 on missions over Italy.
Age 91, passed away peacefully at home in Riverside on Feb. 5, 2011. Morris was born May 16, 1919 in Moore, Oklahoma. He spent his younger years in Moore and graduated from Moore High School in 1937. After attending Central State University in Edmond, OK for two years, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps, where he earned his wings and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. On July 4, 1942, Morris married his college sweetheart, Dorotha. On Nov. 30, 1943 his B-26 was shot down over Italy and he was taken as a German prisoner of War for 17 months until being liberated by General Patton on April 29, 1946. In 1946, after receiving his BS degree in teaching at Central State, he and Dorotha moved to Riverside, CA where he accepted a teaching position at Chemawa Jr. High School. Morris was a coach at Chemawa for 33 years. While at Chemawa, he was an inspiration and admired by many of his students. Morris was a Christian and devoted member of First Christian Church, where he taught an adult Sunday School class for 50 years. Morris is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Dorotha; daughter, Nancy Bracey (John); grandsons, Jeremy (Ely), Mark (Kim), and great-grandsons, Jake and Gavin. A celebration of Morris\' life will be held on Thursday, February 17 at First Christian Church, 4055 Jurupa Ave., Riverside, CA 92506 at 10:00am with reception to follow. Graveside service will be at 1:45pm at Riverside National Cemetery, Staging Area #4. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Morris\' name to First Christian Church at the above address. ARRANGEMENTS Entrusted To The Care Of: Riverside, CA. (951) 785-4071 Please sign guest book at akesfamilyfuneralhome.com
Godspeed Sir.
1 comment:
As near as I can tell, there were 95 squadrons flying
B-26 Marauders in those days. Only four flew out of N. Africa and Sardinia..
the 437th,438th,439th and 440th. The pilots and crews were all part of the
Greatest Generation and the
Band of Brothers, young heros then, who came home to contribute to building
our country in peace. Most are gone or very old now, but remembered gratefully.
Here, schoolkids raise funds to send these old
heros back to Washington DC to gather at the WWII
monument. Thank you,
capt. Moto, and your Band of Brothers.
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