Frank Larry Morse
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Frank Larry Morse, 64, passed away Thursday, December 2, 2021, surrounded by his immediate family. A celebration of life service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday, December 10, 2021 at LifeMission Church in Olathe, KS.
Born on July 20, 1957, in Rapid City, SD, Frank was the fourth child of Edwin Lorenzo and Luvonne Rae (Christy) Morse. Through a tumultuous childhood, Frank fostered close and loving relationships with his eight siblings, deep connections he felt and fostered until the end of his life. Raised among the Black Hills, Frank developed a passionate love for the outdoors, hunting, and fishing. He was always happiest outside, especially on his many trips back home to South Dakota.
Frank graduated from Central High School in 1975, and from Bethany Nazarene College in 1981. By then, his family had relocated to Kansas. Frank pursued some post-graduate education in Kansas while working as a school janitor. In 1986, Frank met Charity Lea Cobb through the matchmaking skills of his sister Ruth. Almost a year to the day later, Frank and Charity married on October 24, 1987, in Olathe, KS. They spent a wonderful 34 years together, raising his “precious girls,” Stephanie and Teresa, in Gardner. The joy of his life was his family, and nothing made him happier than to spend time with them.
Frank held a deep Christian faith, and truly was a force of Jesus’s love on this earth. He modeled forgiveness, steadfastness, constancy in prayer, and unconditional love for all those he knew. Frank supported many ministries and charitable organizations, but his true ministry came from his generosity to those in his life. Gifts of time, money, and labor were given freely and without question whenever the need arose. It was a pleasure for Frank to share what he had with those in need.
As in every area of his life, people came first in his career as a deputy sheriff with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department, and in his post-retirement job transporting cars for Enterprise. The friendships he enjoyed with his coworkers were of far more importance to him than the jobs themselves.
Frank enjoyed many activities through the years, including church league softball, Texas Hold-Em poker, morel mushroom hunting, and his particular combination of cheering and lamenting his favorite sports teams. He loved to travel with his family, especially if the destination was not too hot. There was never enough snow in Kansas for Frank, and never enough opportunities to hunt or fish.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Luvonne, eldest sister Caryn, and nephew Marc. He is survived by his wife, Charity, daughters Stephanie and Teresa, son-in-law Bryce, and grandson Jasper. Other survivors include siblings Ruth, Ed, David, Kristy, Mark, Joy, and Scott, their spouses, and many beloved nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Oasis of Hollywood or the Wounded Warrior Project and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 666044
If you’d like to remember Frank this Christmas season, string up some of his favorite blue lights.
Dear Frank
Your Love of God, Family and Country will be forever remembered and cherished! May you RIP – till we meet again
Your cousin and brother in Christ
Stephen M Shattuck
I will always miss you my dear brother. I am comforted in knowing that you are in our Heavenly Fathers arms and with our loved ones who have gone before.
Your brother
Frank was a great brother in law and a good friend to myself and to everyone that knew him. A true Christian believer in Jesus! May he rest in Peace! You will be missed!
Michael and I are so honored to call you friend. Blessings to the family during this time of grieving.
Frank was a great friend of mine .Wonderful man. We worked together at Enterprise. Will miss our fun conversations and laughs. He made my days brighter. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Jim
So sorry to hear Franks passing, always enjoyed his visits to Michigan, always put his faith in the Lord. To Franks family my deepest.
Bonnie Termeer, cousin
Even though I didn’t know Frank well (he was a friend of a friend), he and Charity reached out to me in compassion when he found out I had leukemia last year. So kind, offering prayers and words of encouragement. Love them both, such quality people!
My dearest brother and best friend. Missing you so much right now, but so glad you’re home with Mom and Dad and Caryn. Give them a big hug for me. Thank you for your never ending love and compassion. You were always there for me through thick and thin, and you never ever judged me, just gave me a shoulder to lean on. Your faith, integrity, and work ethic gave me a role model that made me who I am. I’m really gonna miss your smile, your hugs, and our long conversations on our many adventures. Rest easy, I’ll see you when I get there. Love you so much brother.
I was introduced to Frank 29 years ago when we were getting ready to move to Kansas. My wife Carol and Charity went to college together. They introduced us at dinner that night and a life long friendship developed – two guys from SD, both love to fish and hunt. Our many memories of hunting and fishing in Kansas and SD will be forever etched in my mind. Especially those annual trip to Minnesota which included going out with a guide to troll for northerns. On one trip he caught a Muskie which he really enjoyed. We also traveled many times as two couples. We were much more like brothers and family than friends. I always knew Frank would be there for me no matter what. Many times he would say “If you need anything just call and I will be in my car and headed to Minnesota in 5 minutes.” I knew he was serious. I will you miss you immensely, but I know some day we will be reunited.
My condolences go out to the family. Frank and I worked together for Enterprise Holdings. He was a joy to be around and we had many joyful talks about the Lord and his goodness. Rest now my friend your race has run, you’re victory is won.
Frank, the love of your wife and family comes through so clearly in the words written. Through all these years we have known of your firm testimony for our Lord Jesus. Someone recently said that it’s great to be important but far important to be nice…you leave a legacy for all of us in that department! Marilyn and Bob
I hope that all the fish in Heaven are keepers, Frank. All of our love to your family and friends. Such a kind man that we are so fortunate to have met.
I didn’t know Frank well but his beautiful smile is very familiar to me from the many photos posted by his sister Ruth, my much loved cousin-in-law (married to my cousin Lynn). I’ve always thought of the Morse family as “relatives” of mine.
I feel such deep sorrow for the huge loss of Frank. He was a wonderful man and servant of God. It’s such a comfort to know Frank is in Heaven awaiting his family. I will keep his family in my prayers for comfort and peace in the coming months.
Frank, I will always have fond memories of you and the activities Kristy, Mark, and my brother Keith enjoyed with you (mostly as our driver!). Your love of sports initiated my short-lived desire to be a Phys Ed Teacher. The Lord will watch over your family until we all are united. Enjoy the Kingdom my Friend! Say “Hello” to all
Our condolences to Charity and the family. Frank was such a nice guy and will be dearly missed. Our prayers are withyou.
Charity, Stephanie, Theresa and family, my deepest condolences for you and your family today in the loss of Frank. It has been my pleasure to get to know you when we lived in Stanley and attended Faith Chapel together. I think of you all often and have great memories of the times Frank came out to Concordia to hunt with us. We so enjoyed the fellowship we have had over the years. I am so grateful for the leadership shown to my sons (and the good natured ribbing they suffered along the way).
Much love and hugs to you all. My prayers continue for you. With Love, Ardis Bryan
Charity, We are so thankful for the fun times we spent with you and Frank. We will always treasure the memory of our huge mountain cabin rental in Gatlinburg, Tenn. with you guys, and the lifegroup. Thankful also for our trip to Kansas City trip a few years ago and the fun we had as you showed us around your lovely city. Frank was a gem of a guy, and we look forward to seeing him again in Glory. We are covering you in prayer now and in the days ahead.
All Our Love to you, Jim & Mary Beth Olson, New Hope, Mn.
I have been a friend of Frank’s since first grade. We hunted and fished together often, and spent countless hours in the high school library arguing politics and discussing sports.
Frank was a very good and intelligent person, and a great friend. We drifted apart and rarely talked after he moved to Kansas. Through his efforts, however, we reconnected in the last couple years and since had several enjoyable conversations.
I had great respect for many of Frank’s attributes—but mostly his integrity, loyalty to friends, and unwavering faith in God. He will be greatly missed.
Frank was my Great uncle and he mentioned a lot to me he was kind and loving and always willing to give or spend a extra dollar on us until we meet again