Morris Reese Crater

July 19, 2013

Semper Fi! Sergeant Major Morris Reese Crater, 77, of Cantonment, left this world grudgingly on July 17, 2013, with his loving wife and life partner, J.J., by his side. He was born to the late Gertrude Gallaher and Morris Lee Crater on August 10, 1935, in Portsmouth, Virginia. Sergeant Major Crater served his country proudly and with distinction as a United States Marine for 28 years before retiring to Florida in 1981 to pursue a career in counseling. He and J.J., also a counselor, married in 1987 and they enjoyed 26 years of marriage prior to his untimely passing.

Sergeant Major Crater lived life his way and on his terms, with integrity, compassion, deep thought, perseverance, and a copious amount of humor. He held a Master’s Degree in Psychology and a Bachelor’s Degree in History; most importantly, he was a lifelong avid reader, philosopher, intellectual, and student of life. He loved to travel, whether in person or through books, and was very physically active. He loved the outdoors, gardening, landscaping, and his animals, especially the late Blue. Sergeant Major Crater was steadfast and true, unwavering, and deeply responsible. He lived his principles, and by so doing, served as an example to all that knew and loved him; he demonstrated a better and more conscious way to live. Sergeant Major Crater was a beloved husband, father, and son, and he is deeply missed.

In addition to J.J., Sergeant Major Crater is survived by four children, Sheila Keene Crater Koty, of Vancouver, WA, Dawn Lenka Crater of Albany, CA, Morris Reese Crater, Jr. of Torrance, CA, and Philip Steven Portier of Kansas City, MO. He is also survived by several grandchildren, including Matteo Giovanni D’Orio of Albany, CA. Further, Sergeant Major Crater is survived by a blessed multitude of in-laws, including mother-in-law Juanita Howland of Lees Summit, MO; sister-in-law, Jerri Rogers of Overland Park, KS; brother-in-law, John Howland of Overland Park, KS; and a plethora of nieces and nephews.

Services will be held on Monday, July 22, 2013. Visitation will be held at Gonzalez United Methodist Church, 2026 Pauline Street in Cantonment at 10:30 a.m. with the funeral service to immediately follow at 11:30 a.m. Afterward, Sergeant Major Crater will be buried with full military honors at Barrancas National Cemetery at 1:15 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation, in memory of Sergeant Major Morris Reese Crater, online at toysfortots.org, or by mail at: Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, Gift Processing Administration, 18251 Quantico Gateway Drive, Triangle, VA, 22172.

Comments

One Response to “Morris Reese Crater”

  1. Mike miller on August 23rd, 2013 9:54 am

    I Am a former FPC pensacola inmate. Reese Crater was like a well of life knowledge that I went to many times. He was part of a amazing team of carring people that shined bright in a dark place. The world is a better place having known and learned from him.
    I pray he knows how much he helped me in my darkest hours.
    Thank you Reese Crater
    Semper Fi!

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Obituaries