Vernon Clair Morrison was born August 2, 1927 in Ortonville, MN, the son of Vernon and Grace (Adams) Morrison. At age 3 Clair and his family moved to Hutchinson, MN where he attended school through the third grade before moving to St. Cloud, MN. Clair graduated from St. Cloud Tech High School and began attending Hamline University in St. Paul, MN.
Clair's education was briefly interrupted while he served his country in the United States Army. Clair served as a pharmacist's assistant at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX. He returned to Minnesota and graduated from St. Cloud State University with a degree in Education. Clair continued with his Master's Degree in Education which he received from North Dakota State University.
Clair met Beatrice Koshiol in 1949 while at St. Cloud State University and the two were married in St. Cloud on February 25, 1950. The couple moved to Alexandria, MN where Clair began teaching in high school. He taught consumer education and history for thirty-six years. During that time Clair mentored many young men through his love of sports; he helped coach Cardinal Football for over twenty-five years.
Clair enjoyed all kinds of sports; his television only had one channel - sports. Clair enjoyed coaching and also umpired for softball. The Twins and the Vikings were his teams, as were the Alexandria Cardinals. He enjoyed fishing in the summer and winter. Lake living was also special for Clair; he always made sure the boat was ready to go.
Clair and Bea have been members of the First Congregational United Church of Christ for over sixty-eight years. Clair volunteered his time to the Golden K's Kiwanis Club and the Runestone Museum. He supported higher education at several universities.
Clair spent thirty-two years of retirement with Bede and his family. He and Bede wintered in Fort Myers, FL for many years. Clair and Bede traveled extensively during their retirement. They visited all fifty states and enjoyed many cruises around the world. Their travels took them to many countries. Clair was a devoted family man beginning with the care he gave to his mother and father. He worked hard to provide successfully for his family. He served as a role model for his daughters and their husbands and for all of his students and athletes that he taught and coached.
On Monday, May 29, 2017 Clair died at the age of eighty-nine years. He was preceded in death by his parents. Clair is survived by his wife, Beatrice Morrison of Alexandria; daughters, Mary Hanson and husband, Alan, of Alexandria and Jeanne Monich and husband, Allan, of Ann Arbor, MI four grandchildren, Tom, Katie, Adam and Matthew; and one sister, Marilyn Vits and husband, Lou, of Bella Vista, AR.
A funeral service will be held 11 AM Saturday, June 3, 2017 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Alexandria. Pastor Kathy Hodges will officiate. Interment in Kinkead Cemetery in Alexandria will be private. Military honors will be provided by the Alexandria Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 AM Saturday at the church.
Arrangements are with the Anderson Funeral Home. www.andersonfuneral.net
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