Fred W Morris

Freddie Wayne Morris was born July 29, 1940, in Flomot, Texas and passed from this earth on November 21, 2019, in Springfield, Colorado.  Fred was born to Mary Naomi Bynum Morris and Ardric Brown Morris and was the fifth child of six in their family.  Fred grew up and went to school in Kress, Texas where the family farmed for many years.

Kress, Texas is also where he met the love of his life, Wanda Traylor.  They were married in 1960 in Kress.  At the time of their marriage, Fred worked in the construction field, building barns and elevators and soon got into the family business of farming.  Fred and Wanda quickly started their family and it wasn’t long before their first child, Darrell Brent, was born in 1961.  Carla Jan and Barry Wayne quickly followed in 1962 and 1964, respectively.

It was early 1965 that Fred and Wanda made the decision to move their family to Two Buttes, Colorado when an opportunity came along to rent some farm ground north of Two Buttes.  It took all they had to move to Colorado and put in their first crop.  That first crop, however, was not meant to be as the flood of 1965 struck in June and wiped out the chance of their first harvest in Colorado.  But Fred persevered and retired from farming in 2017.  It became apparent over the years that Fred was not one for change, as in all of these years at Two Buttes, they’ve only lived in two different houses in town – and they are neighboring houses.

In the early ’70s, Fred started a new business known as the Red Barn which sold fertilizer and other farm supplies.  As Fred’s luck ran, remember the first crop and the flood, on opening day he received a call that the Red Barn franchise was closing all company-owned stores.  But again, Fred’s persistence won out, the very next day he went to the bank and borrowed the money to buy and reopen the Red Barn.  Fred owned and ran the Red Barn a few different times in his life, selling it, buying it back and finally reselling it the final time just several years ago.

A custom for Fred and a few of the men from around town would be to meet in the mornings before the work-day started, drink a little coffee and discuss current events – or, well, just gossip.  After his morning of coffee-drinking, sometimes Fred would find an auction to attend – a favorite past time of his.  His and Wanda’s storage buildings are a testament to the “treasures” and “bargains” Fred would find at the auctions.  Fred and his good friend, Russell Ausmus, once brought home a load of Shetland ponies from an auction just because they were cheap.  Another Fred and Russell day-at-the-auction found them bringing home a load of goats; every kid in town had a goat for a short time.

In his lifetime, Fred was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge in Two Buttes.  Fred and Wanda were also members of the Two Buttes Methodist Church for many years.  Fred also served on the Two Buttes City Council from 1970-1982 and was next elected to the prestigious position of mayor of the town of Two Buttes, serving as mayor from 1982 to 1992.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Ardric J Morris, sisters, Juanita Jones, Dorothy Winders, and Betty Quillen.  He is survived by his wife, Wanda, of 59 years.  He is also survived by his son, Brent (Penni) of Springfield, Colorado, daughter, Carla Hampton (Matthew) of Dighton, KS and son, Barry (Leslie) of Springfield, Colorado.  Fred also leaves behind six grandchildren, Stacey (Dale) Stewart, Tyson Piper, John Piper, Chandra (Sam) Herrin, Levi Morris, and Crystal Hampton and four great-grandchildren, Andra, Dylan, Ollie, and Ethan.  Fred is also survived by one brother, Albert Morris (Lillie) of Forth Worth, Texas along with numerous nieces, nephews, and many friends.  Fred’s family and friends were precious to him.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Southeast Colorado Hospital or the Methodist Church of Two Buttes.  The family would like to thank all of the great staff and doctors who were so caring and worked so hard on Fred’s behalf.

As an expression of sympathy, please direct memorials to the following

Two Buttes Methodist Church C/O Donna Wood

PO BOX 48, Two Buttes, CO 81084

Southeast Colorado Hospital District

373 E. 10 ^th Ave., Springfield, CO 81073