Cherished by all those who knew him for his dedication to family and hard-working, generous spirit, Michael “Mike” Morris, a retired electrical engineer and life-long resident of Western North Carolina, died unexpectedly on January 30, 2020 at the age of 65.

Born on December 18, 1954, Mike was a graduate and stand-out member of the basketball teams at both Brevard High School and the University of North Carolina at Asheville where he studied biology. He worked as an automation engineer at Ecusta in Brevard, NC and at UPM Raflatac in Fletcher, NC for over 20 years.

Mike was a devoted husband and father, accomplished engineer and avid sports fan. Throughout his life, he enjoyed coaching his daughter’s softball teams, hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains and traveling with his family. At work, he was admired by his coworkers for his problem-solving abilities and his eagerness to undertake a challenge. Mike was a man of faith and a member of Naples Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon for many years.

Mike is survived by his wife, Karen Morris, and daughter, Hayley Morris, of Hendersonville, NC; his brother Steve (Shawn) Morris, of Newland, NC; his mother-in-law Grace Smith; his sister-in-law Fran (Don) Jackson; his brother-in-law, Billy (Angie) Smith; and numerous extended relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents Ty and Marilyn Morris.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, March 8th at 3:30 p.m. at Naples Baptist Church, with visitation beginning at 2:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mike’s name to the Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance at curefa.org.