Morris Donald Perdue

Long time St. Paul Resident Morris Perdue passed away at age 87 on December 10, 2021. He was attended by loving family during his passing. Morris was preceded in death by his beloved and one true love of 29 years, Joyce. He is survived by his five children: Amy Perdue Burrows, John(Renee), Jill(Andy), Ted(Jeanette), and Joshua(Miklyn). He also leaves his seven grandchildren: Jared, Miranda, Chantel, Jack, Johnny, Maicy, and Jett. Born on November 13, 1934, to Alvin and Bessie Perdue he was raised on a rural farm located at Elliot Prairie near Monitor, Oregon. He grew up with three siblings: Donna, George, and Joyce along with their grandfather George Perdue. Morris would often reminisce about the fun and adventures he had growing up on the family farm. Morris graduated from Canby High School in 1952. He soon after joined the Marines in 1953. He loved to recall his Corps experiences and talk about the time he spent in Japan and the South Pacific. After the Marines, Morris continued his adventurous spirit by hitchhiking the West Coast from his home in Oregon to visit friends in San Diego. Morris also enjoyed retelling stories involving long time friends Lowell Farmer, Lester Farmer, John Beck, Bill Bernard, and John Kirsch, to name a few. Having had his fill of the single life Morris met the one true love of his life, Joyce McKillip, in 1960. They had a short engagement and married on January 21, 1961. They wasted no time in starting a family with their first child, Amy, being born in November of the same year. Three other children, John, Jill and Ted, came along soon after. Morris and Joyce even had a grand finale with Joshua being born February of 1977, 11 years after Ted. Morris and Joyce started their family living in West Linn but moved to Joyce’s hometown of St. Paul in 1964. They lived in a drafty 1860’s farmhouse for 21 years, raising their family. Morris and Joyce were both active members in the local community and the St. Paul Rodeo Association. In 1985 they built their dream home on a piece of property that had been in the McKillip family for generations. Their plan was to live there for the rest of their lives, being frequently visited by numerous grandchildren. Unfortunately, their dream was cut short with the passing of Joyce in December 1989. Morris moved to a different house across the street a couple of years later, but still made Joyce’s and his plan a reality of enjoying his children and grandchildren for the rest of his life. Big Mo will always be remembered in the St. Paul Community as being the self-appointed beautification officer. People would often comment to the family how they saw Morris picking up litter on his way to the daily morning Liars Club at Ernst Irrigation. The community appreciated his efforts and dedication in helping to keep St. Paul a beautiful place to live and raise a family. The loss of Morris will be felt forever, but he will live on in our hearts. We all can be comforted by the fond memories he made with us.

Morris Donald Perdue

November 13, 1934 - December 10, 2021