Norman Lewis Morrison, 93, joined his Savior Jesus Christ when he transitioned peacefully, while dozing Sunday afternoon, Sept. 8, 2024, at The Villas, St. Paul's.

He attended Transfer High School until his senior year, when the remaining students were transferred to various schools in the county.

He played organized football for the first time at Hickory High School, but more importantly was

instrumental in the school starting their first baseball team. Those "Transfer boys" organized and built a baseball diamond, and helped formulate a winning team, of which Norm was a standout player!

Later he played Mercer County league baseball, where he earned the nickname "Doby," for the all-star hitter Larry Doby of the Cleveland Indians.

Norman joined the Army Reserves, serving during peacetime until 1954. In 1952 he married Mary Boneta Morrison on the "Bride and Groom" Television show in New York City.

They lived in Transfer on the farm and raised their kids, and primarily beef cattle, sheep, chickens, and ponies.

He bought the family farm and farmed, as well as working full-time for the Erie Lackawanna Railroad as a chauffeur and signalman.

He created nicknames for most all of his workers and friends, witnesses of his teasing playfulness.

He was the local membership chair of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, and was a PFB representative to lobby on both the state and federal levels, advocating for farm-friendly legislation.

He won the PA State Plowing Contest, and served many years as the Transfer Harvest Home Festival president, promoting it's exponential growth, specifically the livestock division.

Norm was often pictured in the newspapers, with the corn towering well above his head, instead of just 'knee-high on the Fourth of July.'

A lifelong member of the Transfer First Baptist Church, he served as a deacon, youth counselor, Sunday School superintendent and teacher, and was the lead bass in the choir.

He sang in the SPEBSQSA and often sang Gospel and Barbershop quartet music with his brothers and nephews.

He was a Cleveland Indians and Browns fan, as well as a long-standing supporter of Reynolds Wrestling, attending decades of state championships.

Norman worked the Mercer Livestock Auction for decades, and was known throughout Western Pennsylvania for his tireless work ethic, his extreme generosity, and his excellence as a farmer.

Despite losing his right hand in a cornpicker in 1960, he never allowed his wearing a hook to slow or stop him. He delighted in kneeling down to groups of curious kids to erase their fear, and showed them how it worked and asking them if they wanted a gentle 'imprint' on their finger.

A lesson on obedience and avoiding carelessness was also often included. He broke down a lot of that era's 'handicap' and 'disability' stereotypes with his ease of use and affable approachability.

All of his children learned resourcefulness, a strong work ethic, generosity of time, money and spirit, and healthy senses of humor, and are super proud to call him Dad.

Norm is survived by his sister, LaWanda Johnston; four children, Shari Kays-Whitten (Rick), Debra Lynn Morrison, Daniel Wayne Morrison (Beverly), and Timothy Jon Morrison (Tonya); his seven grandchildren, Anne, John, Kate, Adam, TJ, Rob, and Clint; and also his five great-grandchildren, Gauge, Colbie, Crew, Tripp and Naomi.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 71 years, Boneta Morrison; his infant son, Kenneth Paul; his mother, Hannah Pauline; his father, Thomas Basil; his brothers, Bob, Tom, Lester and Jim; and his sisters, Cynthia Deevers, Janet Espey and Verlene Barr.

Compassionate caregivers at Circle Drive included Allie Staunch, Connie Ansell, Donna Vigus, Gayle Cowan, Joy Sallmen, Lauren Best, and Kim Walsh, and more recently at St.Paul's, Jodi Hereford, Kara Brown, Koreena Barker, Missy Walker, Heather Yeager, Lynn, Parker, Crystal, Jessie, Stephenie, James, Grace, and Rebecca.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Camp Judson, 398 Holliday Road, North Springfield, PA 16430 or Transfer First Baptist Church, 50 Broad St., Transfer, PA 16154.

Visitation: 1 to 3 p.m. Monday (9-16-24) at the Transfer First Baptist Church, 50 Broad St., Transfer.

Funeral service: 3 p.m. Monday at the church, with Rev. Ken Thompson officiating.

Interment: Transfer Cemetery.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.donaldsonmohney.com

Arrangements entrusted to the DONALDSON-MOHNEY FUNERAL HOME, 124 W. Main St., Sharpsville.