Donald R. Morris, of Aiken, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. Born in Paris, Texas, he was the son of the late Felix Bailey Morris and Ida Collins Morris. Donald was raised in Paris, Texas, and graduated from Paris High School before proudly joining the United States Navy in January.
Donald dedicated 23 years of honorable service to the U.S. Navy, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant. Nineteen of those years were spent in deep-sea diving and salvage operations, where he carried out complex missions at depths reaching up to 2,500 feet. Following his military retirement, he continued his commitment to public safety at the Savannah River Site, working in hazardous material release prevention and remediation.
A man devoted to leadership and service, Donald served as past president of several civic and professional organizations, including the Aiken Senior Men’s Club, Fifty Plus, the Aiken Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America, and Chapter 51 of the American Institute of Plant Engineers in San Francisco, California. He was also a member of the American Society of Safety Engineers and a life member of the Disabled American Veterans.
Donald generously gave his time through many years of volunteer service at Fort Discovery in Augusta, Georgia, and at the City of Aiken Visitors Center and Train Museum. He also served on the boards of directors for Children’s Place and Aiken County Habitat for Humanity.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Nancy R. Morris. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sons, Scott A. Morris and Jeffrey R. Morris; his brother, James W. “Bill” Morris; and his sister, Myra Jo Teague.
At the family’s request, a private burial will be held.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Children’s Place, Aiken County Habitat for Humanity, or St. John’s Methodist Church of Aiken.
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