Leroy Dewayne Morse

Leroy Dewayne Morse, joined our Lord and Savior on July 14, 2021 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, at the age of 73, surrounded loved ones. Dewayne was born February 6, 1948 to Paul and Evelyn Morse.

Dewayne was a combat veteran that honorably served our country on multiple tours of duty during the Vietnam War as a long-Range Reconnaissance Specialist. After six years of service to our nation and attaining the rank of SGT, he returned home to Poplar Bluff, where he married the love of his life, Betty Tidwell. They were married on June 14, 1968 and had two children, Paul and Kay.

Dewayne lived a full life and loved entertaining and laughing with friends and family. Summer get-togethers where  he really shined. He enjoyed firing up the grill for the best smoked ribs you’ll ever have! He loved cutting up and having a good time relaxing in the Oasis, the sanctuary he built behind his home as a place where everyone was welcome and Dewayne was his happiest. It was here that you could also see the softer side of him. He’d show patience in teaching you how to play pool, no matter how bad you were. He’d show his huge capacity for love and understanding while he listened to you chat about any personal struggles you were facing. He was the kind of friend you’d love to have. He will forever be missed and honored by those that were lucky enough to know him.

Dewayne is survived by his brother, Gary Morse; his wife of 53 years, Betty Morse; his son, Paul B Morse and his wife, Vicky, and their family; one grandson, Jonathan Paul; three great-granddaughters, Elizabeth, Alyssa and Nevaeh; one great-grandson, Elijah (Deceased) and one great-great-grandson, Giovanni; his daughter, Kay Larmore, Mike Larmore and their family of three granddaughters, Leah and her spouse, Tim Davis, Nickie, and Emily and one great-granddaughter, Carlee Grace; his mother-n-law, C. Imogine Tidwell; three brothers-n-law, Wayne, Bud and Roy; three sisters-in-laws, Clara, Sharlie and Vuanta, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Dewayne was also Honorary Grandpa to Arizona Morse.

Dewayne will be honored in a celebration of life on July 24 at Fowler Sullivan Funeral Home. Visitation hours are from 10 a.m. - noon with a graveside ceremony immediately following at Old Oak Hill Cemetery in Briar off W Hwy.