OBITUARY: Ron Morris, Retired Arcadia High Teacher

Retired Arcadia High School teacher Ron Morris died Nov. 24 from complications of Alzheimer's Disease. He was 72 years old.

Morris taught social studies at AHS for 30 years. He also coached track, basketball, football and the school's award-winning Constitution Team. Under Morris' guidance, the Constitution Team won three state titles and the 1993 national title.

"He was a great teacher who instilled intellectual curiosity into his students that will probably last a lifetime," Morris' former student Benjamin Kuo said. "I remember how he patiently explained to me the concept of judicial review in an after school session, using outlines that were intended for law school. So he gave me a head start when I eventually did study law."

Ronald Scott Morris was born March 16, 1940 in Centralia, Wash. He moved to Burbank, Calif. as a child. He enlisted in the Navy for two years before enrolling at California State University, Los Angeles, where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in social science with his teaching credential. In 1982, he returned to Cal State L.A. for his master's degree in education administration.

In his downtime, the former Eagle Scout was an avid athlete and outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing, backpacking and hiking the Sierra Nevada Mountains. His interests ran the gamut from literature and astronomy to world travel.

He is survived by his wife, Sanja Morris, and his first wife, Junelle Pearson; his daughters, Cherise Kelley and Kristine White; and his step-sons, Nikola Kantar and Aleksa Kantar.

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