Richard "Dick" J Morrow
September 3, 1929 — January 18, 2017
Richard “Dick” J. Morrow, 87, of Friendship Manor, Rock Island, IL, passed away Wednesday, January 18th, 2017, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA.
A celebration of his life will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, January 27th, 2017 at Esterdahl Mortuary and Crematory, Ltd., 6601 38th Avenue, Moline, IL. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 pm, Thursday, January 26th, 2017, at the funeral home. Burial will be at the National Cemetery at the Rock Island Arsenal, where military honors will be conducted by the Moline American Legion Post 246. Memorials may be made to Honor Flight of the Quad Cities, the National Kidney Foundation, the Quad City Animal Welfare Center, or the Children’s Therapy Center of the Quad Cities.
The last of three siblings, Dick was born on September 3rd, 1929, in Wall Lake, IA, to parents James Archibald and Emily Stewart Patterson Morrow. He graduated from Keosauqua High School and Iowa State College with a degree in agricultural engineering.
A veteran of the United States Air Force, Dick served during the Korean Conflict. He would go on to become a private pilot, build an experimental airplane, and later participate in the Honor Flight.
Dick married Carol Ellen McConnell on February 14th, 1959 in Argo, Iowa. He retired from John Deere in 1984 after serving 28 years as a service manager. A comedic poet and writer, Dick sang barbershop as a baritone for 35 years, and was also a member of the barbershop quartet Generation Four. He worked passionately on many restoration projects throughout his life, including John Deere equipment and a Korean-Era military Jeep. He enjoyed gardening and was every dog’s friend.
Survivors include his wife, Carol Morrow; sons Dale (Kelly) Morrow, Eldridge, IA, Dennis (Angela) Morrow, Silvis, IL, and David (Sue) Morrow, Gainesville, FL; grandchildren, Abigail Morrow, Nathaniel Morrow, Madelyn Morrow, and Natalie Morrow.
He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Robert and Ethel.
Memories may be shared online by visiting esterdahl.com.
Service Program