Joseph Clifton Morris, 77, passed away on Tuesday, December 7, 2010 at Covenant Hospice Center following a lengthy illness. He was born in New York on June 26, 1933 to James Clifton and Helen Flewelling Morris and grew up in North Carolina. He attended Elon University where he graduated with a commission in the U.S. Marine Corps. As a Marine helicopter instructor, he had the pleasure of teaching Astronauts Gordon Cooper and Ed White at Ellyson Field in Pensacola. He remained a pilot throughout his tenure with the Marines and flew C-130s in Viet Nam. He finished his career with the Naval Investigative Service, serving offices in Cherry Point, Panama Canal Zone, Madrid and Rota, Spain and Pensacola. His passions and interests were numerous: the McGuires Bagpipe Band, the Marine Aviators Association, his family of local Marine veterans, the Scottish Clan Buchanan Society and the North Carolina Tarheels. Joe was a charter member and Elder of Northminster Presbyterian Church. He was preceded in death by his brother, James Charles Morris and most recently by his eldest son, Joseph Clifton Morris, Jr. Survivors include his wife, Helen Craven Morris; son, David Charles Morris; sister, Janice Morris Cornell and grandson, Joshua Charles Morris. The family will receive friends on Sunday, December 12, 2010 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel. Funeral services will be held at Northminster Presbyterian Church at 9:30am Monday, December 13, 2010 with Dr. Walk Jones officiating, assisted by Rew Randolph. Burial will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be given to Northminster Presbyterian Church or Covenant Hospice. HARPER-MORRIS MEMORIAL CHAPEL is in charge of arrangements.