Donald James Morton

May 15, 2020

Former West Virginia native, Donald James Morton, 96, died May 17, 2020 in Lawrenceburg, TN. At the family’s request, only graveside service for the family will be held. Mr. Morton was born September 15, 1923 to Tida and Franklin Morton. He was born, raised and made his home in the mountains of West Virginia until he and his wife moved to TN to be close to his daughter. Mr. Morton could accomplish anything he set his mind to do. He was a strong, hard-working proud man. Mr. Morton served in the United States Navy, during World War II as a large gunman on the U.S.S. California. In February of 1946, with the rank of Seaman First Class, he was honorably discharged from the Navy and he returned home to his wife Mary. Mr. Morton worked for the same company for 40 years and was very proud of never missing a day of work. He built all of his homes and was an extraordinary artist, creating beautiful paintings, worthy of any museum but instead they hung within the homes of those who loved him the most. Mr. Morton is survived by his wife, Mary Morton; daughter, Belinda (Paul) Wayne; son, Dirk (Tammy) Morton; five granddaughters, Whitney (Ben) Meade, Kristen (Ryan) Gardener, Kathryn and Kamelia Wayne and Chelsea Jorgenson (Jon); and two great granddaughters, Corbin and Charlie Meade.