July 15, 1918 – Feb. 11, 2011
Forrest W. Morse. 92, one of three original founders of Morse Bros. Inc., died Feb. 11, 2011 at his Corvallis home from natural causes.
He was born July 15, 1918 in Brownsville, the fourth eldest of Clinton and Lydia Davidson Morse’s six children. Through the years, his family lived on several farms and he attended country schools, graduating from Harrisburg High School in 1939. After high school, Mr. Morse went to work for the Linn County road department, where he drove truck and worked on the road oiling crews.
In 1941, his brother, Joe asked Forrest to join him in the sand and gravel business in Harrisburg. Brother Bill soon joined them in 1943 and Morse Bros, Inc. eventually grew to be the largest construction company in Oregon.
There were three aspects of their business that they believed led to early success and gave their business its identity. First, they built a good reputation by being honest, reliable, and able to deliver quality products. They simply treated others as they wanted to be treated themselves. Second, they always managed by consensus. Not to say there weren’t differences of opinion or disagreements, but they never ended in anger and they would agree to think things over to arrive at a solution. Third, they had a strong family culture. They got help from their extended family, never forgetting that they were family and protected that relationship. Employees were also treated like family. Later they welcomed the second generation into the business.
Mr. Morse met his future wife, Laura Kelso, at a Junction City movie theater where she was selling tickets and popcorn and trying to do her homework. They married on June 20, 1943. In 1946, they moved to Lebanon, where they raised their three children until moving to Corvallis in 1978.
Mr. Morse was a pilot and owned his own plane for many years. He also enjoyed hunting and was an avid fly fisherman, teaching all his family and nephews “the art.” He enjoyed fishing in different countries and areas from Alaska to South America and New Zealand. One of his most beloved places was Quesnel Lake in British Columbia where the family continues to keep a cabin.
He had a huge love and appreciation of the Pacific Ocean and always enjoyed salmon fishing and crabbing with friends and family from Newport to Astoria. In 1980, he and Laura began spending the winter months in Borrego Springs, Calif., where they golfed and made many new friends. He was a past member of the Lebanon Elks Lodge and a charter member of Spring Hill Country Club.
Mr. Morse is survived by his wife of 67 years, Laura of Corvallis; sons and daughters-in law, Mike and Tari Morse and Steve and Jackie Morse, all of Corvallis; brother Bill and sister-in-law Lois Morse of Eugene; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Jody Morse, in 1976; brother Joe Morse, and three sisters, Rose, Esther and Shirley.
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 18, at the Lebanon I.O.O.F. Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will follow at 1 p.m. at the Albany First Christian Church, 432 Ferry St., Albany.
Memorial contributions can be made to Trillium Family Services, ARC of Benton County, or the Harrisburg Area Museum, in care of Huston-Jost Funeral Home 86 W. Grant St. Lebanon, OR.