James “Jim” Harrell Morelock was born to Cecil and Ruby Morelock on November 6, 1935, in Little Rock, Arkansas and died on February 20, 2019 at Rawlins County Health Center in Atwood, Kansas.
Jim and Ruth (Gayle) Morelock were married for 37 years before her death. Through this union, the couple had 3 children; Tim, Tom and Traci.
As a young man, Jim attended Kansas State University on a basketball scholarship before transferring to Washburn University to finish his Bachelor’s Degree. After school, Jim, a reservist in the Army, served as a tank driver and Sergeant First Class during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Following his military stint, Jim worked in the insurance industry for 36 years, with most of his service spent as a Regional Sales and Marketing Manager. His agents expressed respect for his honest and fair practices.
Jim and Lois met, after the death of their spouses, and were married on January 1, 1995. They spent the next 24 years enjoying time with family, traveling to various parts of the country and overseas. Jim was particularly fond of his visit to Normandy with his 2 sons and granddaughter, Megan. Jim also enjoyed time spent fishing, reading and discussing history. Those who knew him best can recount the wide array of stories he could bring to any conversation.
Preceding Jim in death were his parents; his first wife Ruth, and brothers Charles and Paul. Surviving him is his wife Lois Johnson-Morelock, of McDonald; sisters Mary Sylvis, of Riverview, FL and Shirley Woods, of Overbrook; son, Tim Morelock, of Topeka and daughters, Megan (Tyler) Pfannenstiel, of Hays and Madalyn Morelock, of Manhattan; son, Tom (Kristi) Morelock, of Kansas City, MO; daughter Traci Coulson, of Larned and daughter Kala (Steven) Schroer, of Larned; daughter Brooke Coulson, of Larned, son Trevor Coulson, of Larned and son Logan Coulson, of Larned; step-daughter Patti (Dexter) Leach, of Bird City, and daughter Kandi (Michael) Moore, of Fountain, CO, daughter Kalisa (Patrick) Buell, of Centennial, CO and daughter Leann (Phillip) DeLong, of Stillwater, OK; step-son Ray Dean (Edie) Johnson, of Cimarron and son Scott (Brittany) Johnson, of Craig, CO and daughter Laura Johnson, of Dodge City; step-daughter Peggy (Wayne) Sager, of Salina and son Garrett Sager, of Houston, TX, daughter Courtney (Jordan) Huggans, of Salina and son Kyler Sager, of Salina; and step-son Gary (Lisa) Johnson, of Goddard and daughter Jordann (Tom) Sewell, of Mayetta and son Jon (Jess) Johnson, of Colwich. Also surviving are 11 great-grandchildren.
Services will be at the McDonald Federated Church on Saturday, March 2nd at 10:00am. Interment to follow at the McDonald Grace Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the McDonald Legion Hall through Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com