Alfred E. Morrey III
Alfred Ernest Morrey, III of Clear Lake City died on December 2, 2017. Al was defined by his faith, his family, his devotion to helping others, his love of the outdoors, his competitive fire, his love of sports, and his belief in always doing your best. In his long and courageous battle with melanoma cancer he exhibited many of these traits that kept him hopeful and strong all the way to the end.
Al was born on June 22, 1942 to the loving parents of Alfred E. and Theresa J. Sanders Morrey in Pittsburg, Kansas. His early childhood years were spent in Fort Worth, Texas with younger brother Bernie constantly at his side. Al later became the big brother to three wonderful sisters. Alfred graduated valedictorian of Laneri High School and later attended St. Edwards University in Austin on scholarship in baseball and basketball. Two years later Al decided to enter the Seminary at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa graduating in 1964 with majors in physics and theology. Al also studied theology at Catholic University in Washington DC before joining NASA in 1967 in the Mission Planning Analysis Division. After obtaining an MBA from the University of Houston, Al transferred to the Contract Compliance Division. In 2002, after working at NASA for thirty five years, he retired.
Alfred lived a very active lifestyle and enjoyed spending his free time outdoors and with his family and friends. He enjoyed coaching his children in youth basketball, baseball and soccer for many seasons. Al had a special connection with his players and took great pride in making sure all his players had a positive experience. In addition to coaching, Al always enjoyed and excelled at playing competitive sports, especially basketball, softball, tennis, and golf. Al’s love of the outdoors also supported one of his favorite pastimes; fishing with his family and friends.
Many people recognized Al as the life of the party as he loved to laugh and make others laugh, especially his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Al and wife Marie also enjoyed the many memories they created traveling with their long time friends Jim and Mary Lou Pawlowski.
Faith was a permanent thread in Alfred’s life. He and Marie were charter members of St. Bernadette Parish in Clear Lake City, volunteering their time to the church. Al believed in helping others and most recently taught adult literacy for many years, ceasing only because of his illness.
In addition to Marie Novosad Morrey, his wife of 46 years, Al is survived by their three children: Jeffrey (Dana) Morrey of Fulshear, Tracy (Erik) Nygren of La Grange, and Gary (Lisa) Morrey of Sugar Land. He will be especially missed by his grandchildren: Macy and Charli Ann Morrey, Lily, Reece, and Ella Nygren, and Travis and Meredith Morrey.
Al is also survived by his siblings: Bernard (Carla) Morrey of La Grange, Mary (Joe) Matuskowitz of Greensburg, PA, Anne (Bill) Quinn of Austin, and Michelle (John) Sneed of Washington DC. He will be greatly missed by his 19 nieces and nephews.
The family also gratefully acknowledges so many of Al’s wonderful neighbors and friends from NASA, church and sports who visited him faithfully during his illness. The family would also like to thank Dr. Ganesh Rao and Dr. Roda Amaria at MD Anderson as well as Ann Holman and Anna Molina for their wonderful in home care.
Visitation will be on Friday 12/8/17 from 6-7 pm with a wake beginning at 7 pm.
Location: Crowder Funeral Home, 111 East Medical Center, Webster, TX.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday 12/9/17 at 11:30 am.
Location: St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 15500 El Camino Real, Houston, TX.
The Mass will be followed by a lunch reception at the parish center and a private interment in Moulton, TX. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Al’s name may be made to: Christian Action of St. Bernadette Parish:
15500 El Camino Real, Houston, TX. 77062 or MD Anderson Cancer Center:
PO Box 4486, Houston, TX. 77210-4486 Note: Please include in memory of Alfred Morrey so that the money will go to immunotherapy research.
Marie, I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your family.
I worked with Al for practically the entirety of both our careers at NASA. Al was always happy and positive in all aspects of our working together. As a charter member of St. Bernadette’s, I saw what a gift Al was to our church. I send my sincerest condolences to Marie and the family.
I worked with Al in Mission Planning and Analysis Division and he was always laughing and always had a smile on his face. He was a very kind person.
Dear Marie and family,
Al’s many many cousins will miss him greatly. He was kind to us when we were little and amused us when we were older. God bless you.
Monica Morrey Bayer
Bernie and family,
I am deeply saddened that we have lost Al. He was a good friend an colleague.
I will keep Al and your family in my prayers.
Tom Linbeck
Bee Cave, TX
Thanks Tom
One feature of Al that developed with time was how much he enjoyed working with his NASA colleagues. And he talked about you all with great respect during his illness Thank you for your kind comments
Bernie
Dearest Marie and family
Am so sorry to hear of All’s passing. My prayers are with you all.
My great childhood pal of going on 62 years. We only made touch sporadically as time passed…school, jobs, family and that stuff we call LIFE interceded…but it was always a happy occasion and Little Al (as I called him in deference to Al, Sr.) was
never without that big smile and much to talk and laugh about. I could ALWAYS make him begin to chortle by uttering two magic words: “Eight Reverse”, the name we attached to our ill fated touch football team’s “Secret” play which somehow fell apart about the time we got to the Second Reverse…a long story and we have long searched for WHO, exactly, was to blame! Little Al and I can discuss this when next we meet. Meantime Rest In Peace, my friend, Rest In Piece…
Back in the early days of NASA slow-pitch, when we umpires were untrained volunteers, I called one of Al’s games. We all know he threw a very high-arching pitch that was pretty accurate. He was not happy with my calls and let me know it after the game. I phoned him the next morning and said, “OK, Al, what did I do wrong and how do I fix it?” He told me to get out from directly behind the plate and over off the corner. It was good advice that I took.
Many years later Al moved to Budget and took over a program where I submitted budgets for the directorate I supported. His POP (budget) calls were clear and complete and made the submission of our tasks a piece of cake. I really enjoyed working with Al – he was good. My condolences to all his family.
We were both “firsts” for our parents. R.I.P.
Marie and family,
We are so sorry to hear of Al’s passing. This is such a hard time of year for it to happen. Please know that he, as well as you, will be in our prayers.
The word that best describes Al is Noble. I use the present tense because he is
first in line in Heaven, and as competitive as Al was second in line would not be
acceptable. I played about 1000 softball games with Al and never saw him do
anything that was not noble.
Love ya Al, and If any Mets get to heaven I am sure there will be a softball team.
Wayne Whhittington
Marie, Mike and I were so sorry to hear of Al’s passing. Please know we are keeping you and your family in our prayers. Love, Allyne and Mike
Al was one of the best. He was so easy to talk to and such a genuine soul. I will always remember how warm and welcoming he was. That smile and sparkle in his eye didn’t hurt his case either! Al, you’ve inspired so many to live a beautiful and joyful life. Save a seat on your team’s bench for me. You will be missed.
Marie, Jay and I were so sorry to hear of Al’s passing. Our prayers are with you, Al and all of your family.
Sandy and Jay Berriman
Marie, We send our deepest sympathy. I feel privileged to have counted Al as a very close friend. Al was a person of great faith, fairness, honest, respect, and intellect. I got to know Al when we coached together. We became friends and had most similar interests. If you want to know what fairness and trust look like, see Al. When working with a youth organization, I asked Al what the one thing I can do to get the most out of these young girls and boys. His reply, “Teach them to read”. His explanation was if they can read, it set the foundation for life.
Thanks for being a great friend. Those Sunday morning runs were great and enjoyable.
Marie and family
We are sorry for the loss of Al. What fond memories we have of our days together both on the baseball field and in the classroom at St Edwards. Al was always so positive and respectful in every part of his life.
Although our times together were limited to 2 short years, Al has remained as one of our dearest friends. What a fine human being.
Please know that Al and you will remain in our prayers.
Take care and may God be with you always.
Jackie and Toni Schandua
Growing up on Barryknoll I was at the Morrey home as much as I was at my own. Al always made me feel welcome and loved. Even as a child I knew he had a uniquely positive outlook on life. I will always remember his smile and the sparkle in his eye that made you think he had a secret.
Our sympathy to the entire Morrey family on the loss of Al from his second cousins (Sanders family) in Oklahoma.