George Stuart Morton, age 87, died in Sarasota, Florida on Sunday, May 4, 2014 of natural causes. He was born February 25, 1927 in Hazard, Kentucky to William Peyton Morton and Francis Karrick Parks Morton. While attending Hazard High school, George ran in a Sadie Hawkins day race. He was captured by Joyce Evelyn Coldiron, the most beautiful girl in the world. He was required to take her to the dance that evening and was smart enough to later marry her on September 2, 1950.
After graduation from high school, George enrolled at Davidson College. His education was interrupted by World War II. He enlisted with the 88th. infantry division ” Fighting Blue Devils” in the European theater. He ended his enlistment with an honorable discharge at the rank of staff sergeant. He returned to school at the University of Cincinnati. He joined the Sigma Chi fraternity and was a lifelong participating alumni. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting.
After College, George moved with Joyce to Louisville, Kentucky to work for General Electric. While in Louisville, his first child was born, Kathryn Evelyn Morton. After a stint with GE, George moved to Winchester, Kentucky to become president of Home Lumber Company. While in Winchester, Joyce gave birth to their second child, Jonathan Stuart Morton.
After six years in Winchester, George moved his family to Bellaire, Florida. He worked for Rutenburg Homes. After a year, the family moved to Sarasota. In Sarasota, George opened his own business, Morton Insurance Agency. He became a certified life underwriter and a certified financial planner. He was a member of the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, a longtime member of Kiwanis International and a founding member of the Siesta Key Chapel. He also was an early member of the Field Club. George will especially be remembered for his sense of humor, love of travel and an obsession with the University of Kentucky basketball, as well as his role as loving husband and father.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce Evelyn Morton, his brother William Peyton Morton Jr., his daughter Kathryn Evelyn Beck, his son Jonathan Stuart Morton and the love of his later life, his granddaughters, Caroline Chapman Beck, Jacqueline Karrick Beck and Wilhelmina Evelyn Morton.
A private family memorial was held at the Siesta Key Chapel on September 20, 2014.
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Record Number: MERLIN_6209369