Alva Review-Courier -

Leland Finis Morris was born January 6, 1935, to Lela (Hardy) and Finis Morris on the family farm located northwest of Capron, Oklahoma. Leland joined the family as the fourth child, the only boy of five children. Virginia, M'Arlene, Joan, Leland and Mary Lou lived with their parents at the family farm until they moved to the town of Capron right across from the school. Leland attended Capron School first through twelfth grade graduating in 1952. Leland played basketball for Capron and was a member of the FFA.

After high school he joined the National Guard, 189 Artillery, with his buddy Bob Warfield and served for five years.

Leland married Maryona Cushenbery on October 31, 1959, in Alva, Oklahoma, where they lived in the Capron and Alva areas. They adopted their daughter Kathy Lynee who was born January 18, 1971. They adopted their second child, a son, Chris Alan who was born July 16, 1974.

Leland and his family moved to Alva when their kids started school and resided there until his death. Leland farmed with the help of Chris and Maryona until they sold the farm in 2006. Leland was a farmer and also worked as an auto body mechanic at K&K Body Works for approximately 30 years, which helped to keep the farm going. He got his passion for working on cars from his dad, who owned a mechanic shop in Capron. Leland loved to build vehicles from pieces of other vehicles and always had a project or two going on.

Leland and Maryona have four grandchildren, Quincy Reynolds (15), Mackenzie Morris (12), Kashton Reynolds (11), and Mitchell Morris (10).

His grandchildren were the highlight of his life. He loved having them around and loved to tell stories about his time spent with them. When they were all playing and being noisy he would laugh and say through a worn-out smile, "Well, I guess it's a good thing they are healthy enough to run and play."

Leland was preceded in death by his mother and father, two sisters, M'Arlene Hendrickson and Joan Rowland, and two nephews.

He is survived by his wife Maryona of the home, his daughter and son-in-law Kathy and Quentin Reynolds (of Gillette, Wyoming), his son and daughter-in-law Chris and Shannon Morris (of Alva, Oklahoma), four grandchildren, sister and brother-in-law Virginia and Edgar Schwerdtfeger (of Capron), sister and brother-in-law Mary Lou and Bob Shoemaker (of Lubbock, Texas), and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be Monday, August 29, 2016, at 10 a.m. at the Alva First Christian Church with Rev. Ron Pingelton, pastor, officiating. Interment will be in the Hardtner Cemetery at Hardtner, Kansas. Wharton Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements and online condolences may be made at http://www.whartonfuneralchapel.com.

Family visitation will be Sunday, August 28, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Wharton Funeral Chapel.

Memorials may be made to Beadles Nursing Home through Wharton Funeral Chapel.