We Remember
MORRISON, Reverend Gerald Eldon “Ger”
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MORRISON, Reverend Gerald Eldon “Ger” peacefully went to be with Jesus on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at the age of 85. Survived by his loving wife, Ruth, of 64 years and their children: Karen (Fred) Castillo, Bob (Kim), Kathy (Don) Barron, Lori (Ian) Hunter, Michael (Tanya); eighteen grandchildren; five great grandchildren; brother Rev. LeRoy Morrison and sister Eleanor (Ted) Kennedy. Gerald and Ruth have faithfully and happily served as missionaries through PAOC Missions for 48 years, and he continued to serve until his last breath. A Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, March 28th at 10:00 am at the Emmanuel Church, 2600 Hebert Road, West Kelowna, BC. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Emmanuel Church in memory of Gerald Morrison; all proceeds will go towards Africa church planting.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Share Your Condolences.”
Service
Wednesday, March 28th at 10:00 am
Location
Emmanuel Church
We share the sadness of losing Gerald, who was my fine brother-in-law and a faithful servant of the Lord!
Gerald & Ruth hold such a special place in my heart. I spent just under a year in Kenya, living with them part of the time, and serving in the Africa Regional Coordinator’s office with Gerald. They made a lifelong impact on me. Gerald was a second father to me. He was my boss, one who gave me a chance when I had no experience, and he modelled for me how to serve graciously and keep confidences in a ministry office – something I’m still doing today 🙂 And he was so funny! I’m praying for you, Ruth, and the rest of the family. Thank you for sharing Gerald with the rest of us who were so impacted by his life 🙂
We were saddened to hear of your loss and our hearts go out to Ruth and all of your family. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. May the Lord comfort you and strengthen you. We thank the Lord that we had the privilege of knowing Gerald. He was truly a man of God who had a heart for all of God’s people. We will miss him. With love and prayers, Jim and Liisa Kelly
We the Children of the Late Rev Blackie T. Godu and Rev. Mot Bessie Godu are saddened to hear that Rev. Gerald Morrison passed away. Our thoughts are with you the family in this time of bereavement.
Long will we celebrate and remember times of fellowship with our “UNCLE” Gerald Morrison! He was a great source of encouragement on so many occasions during this missionary journey. Face to face we would reminisce over years well spent. We love you Auntie Ruth. Be of good courage. May you OVERFLOW with Hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
My thoughts and prayers are with the Morrison family and relatives as we say goodbye to a spiritual mentor of many souls. May those seeds Gerald planted continue on in the lives he touched with the purpose he first went to Africa to sow them in the first place.
God Bless,
Glen Halliwell
We have been trying to recall and organize the myriad memories associated with Ruth and Gerald while in Kenya together with them.
Hospitable, gracious, warm and caring come to the top of the lengthy list. There were many extremely difficult times shared over the years. Gerald’s God-given stamina, intelligence and experience brought solutions that were often delightful.
We pray now, and will continue to pray, for Ruth and her children who mourn Gerald’s death. But they do not grieve too strongly because the hope to be together again with the Lord dominates their thinking as they love one another as never before.
Thank you for your godly influence upon our lives while we worked together in Kenya.
Our sincere condolences go to the Morrison family. Spent many years in Africa under the oversight of Gerald. Special event while serving as Headmaster of Kapsengere Secondary School in Kenya, was the official opening by Rev. Gerald Morrison of the Kurtz Library Complex.
Gerald’s passing signals the end of an era. Jess and I served with him and Ruth for 2 missionary terms in Liberia. His dedication and work ethic are not easily imitated ,but serve as tender reminders of commitment under duress. My heart aches for Ruth. May God in a special way bless her grieving heart.
Gerald opened a wonderful door for Eunice and me when he went to the University of Liberia and proposed that they hire me to teach Physics. That began a renewal of our acquaintance that enabled us to work with him for the youth of Liberia.
We saw Gerald superintend the work of God there in a way that brought people together. He had a wonderful rapport with everyone … including the national church personnel, the missionaries both of the PAOC and the AOG, the governmental community and the communities in which he lived. He was the statesman that Liberia needed.
More than giving good leadership to the work of God, Gerald also gave dedicated leadership to his family; we saw a loving husband who always demonstrated his love for Ruth in exemplary ways, and as a father who deeply loved his children and always spoke well of them.
Our time together was a highlight of our life, and the memories and the things we learned from him will continue to bless us.
I am thankful from the Maxwell (Woodruff) family to thank Gerald and Ruth for their part in opening a church in Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles Islands, the birthplace of my parents. While visiting the islands with them some years back, I saw a vibrant church family, planted on land that belonged to my grandfather. God smiles when He see you Gerald. Jennifer Cucu Maxwell.
I extend my sincere condolences to Ruth and the family. I grew to appreciate Gerald and Ruth on their visits to Zwedru, Liberia, where I served from 1979-1981. Gerald certainly left a great legacy in that country. Thankfully we have a Blessed Hope that we will see him again. I pray the God of hope will be with you all at this difficult time.
It was my privilege to have met and known Gerald Morrison. When I helped with the Spanish Church in Kelowna, I approached Gerald for his advice on some challenges. His insight and wisdom he gladly shared, and believe me, it was VERY insightful. I will never forget that. Gerald was kind and caring, in fact before I left to go to Central America, he let us use his trailer to live in for a month or so. I have so appreciated Gerald’s kindness and his leadership, and speaking into my life. He was truly an amazing man.
We count Gerald and Ruth as friends before, during and after our time in Kenya when Gerald was our Field Director. We regret that we are unable to attend the Memorial Service but we were privileged to visit both Gerald and Ruth last September.. We send condolences to Ruth and the family. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.”. Psalm 116:15 We can hear Jesus saying, “Well done!”
Sending warm wishes and our condolences to the Morrison family today. A great missionary legacy which will always be remembered in our fellowship.
We have so many wonderful memories of Gerald. Murray, especially has memories of growing up in Kenya with ‘the Morrison clan’. When Murray and I first went to Zimbabwe as a new missionary couple, Gerald provided lots of wisdom and advice. Not long after our arrival in Harare, he made a visit to see how our settling in was going. We also have memories of some wild driving in Kenya with Gerald:) Our prayers are with the family.
Ruth, what a great privilege to speak of Gerald and you as I recall our AIM team to Liberia in the summer of 1971. We saw your leadership and hearts of love for the people and country. We enjoyed your hospitality and the way you helped all of us to have such a positive experience. Thank you for the tremendous grace that you and Gerald would show in all of your years of service. You have set high example for all of us to follow. With heart felt love and gratitude, Dan MacTavish.
As the daughter of John & Edna Lynn, I offer warm wishes on my own behalf and my parents who were close friends of Gerald and Ruth. The Morrison clan has been like family for a very long time. But now Time’s winged chariot really does seem to be hurrying near….
Ruth, the memories we have of Gerald and you go back a long ways. Your farewell service from Elim Tabernacle in Keremeos on January 1, 1960, as you prepared to go to Liberia, was our induction service to follw you as pastors of that church congregation. What a great work you both did in that commuinity, and what a great foundation you left for us to build on! Little did we know at the time that, years later, we too would go to Africa (Mozambique), and that Gerald would be our all-Africa Director for several years. Always friendly, wise and helpful, Gerald was a faithful servant of the Lord, that we shall never forget. Ruth, you have been such a faithful wife and companion to Gerald. We send you our love and condolences at this time of separation. We are thankful for the privilege we had of visiting you and Gerald just a few days before he went to be with the Lord. Our prayers are with you and each of the family at this time. We celebrate a life well lived for the Lord!
It seems I have always known the Morrisons. Each one has a special spot in my heart full of precious memories of growing up with many of them in Kenya years ago. I remember “Ger” speaking at missions rallies in churches in Ontario and in British Columbia. He was a mentor to many younger missionaries, including my brother Jess who served along side him in Liberia for 2 terms. Thank you, Gerald, for all the fond memories we have of you and you wife. You are now with the “Heavenly Father” whom you loved and served. Our condolences to Ruth and each of the family. God bless! Janice
Our sincere condolences from all our staff here at Missions, Exposure, and Training in Pretoria, South Africa. Thank you Pastor Morrison for having been a director of MET in the past.
May the God of all comfort give Ruth and the family strength and peace for Rev Gerald is gone home to the Lord he served. I met Rev Gerald through sister Helen and God used him to do what led to the establishment of Kisumu Pentecostal church on its own parcel of land. My late wife named our first born son after him. We loved his spirit and love for God’s work. In him was true missionary heart. I mourn and rejoice with you sister Ruth. Peace be with you n family.
It was my honour and privilege to travel with and work with Gerald in both West and East Africa, and to stay in their home in Nairobi. He was a missionary statesman and it is not without significance that the name “Morrison” is so closely associated with missions. Our condolences to the family ( especially to Ruth and Don and Kathy Barron ). You are all in our prayers.
Les and Pat Markham
Heather and I wish to extend our sincere condolences to Ruth and the Morrison family on the passing of Rev. Gerald Morrison. It was always a pleasure to welcome Gerald and Ruth back to Africa on numerous occasions as we led the PAOC Africa Team from 2006-2016. We shared ministry and fellowship in a variety of settings, from mega celebrations like the 100 Anniversary of the Liberian Assemblies of God, to ministry in the CITAM megachurches in Nairobi, to graduations and the dedication of the Morrison dormitory at Pentecostal Bible College, Nyang’ori, Kenya. Gerald was a walking encyclopedia on the church in Africa and a great inspiration to all of us. He left an indelible mark upon the lives of so many African leaders all across the continent to the Seychelles. While we mourn his passing, we thank God that he has gone home safely to his eternal reward. “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them” (Rev. 14:13).
Precious memories working together with Gerald on the field in different African countries. Our prayerful condolences today Ruth and Family as you celebrate DADS GRANPAS life on earth and his future eternal GLORY
When we came to Kenya in the nineties we met Gerald and Ruth there in Nairobi. We were Blessed to have him as our director and boss. He was never bossy ,but encouraged us we worked,, Grace in the office and me overseeing many building projects .. Our hope is that in the future we will be together again in a new home with our friends and our Lord and Savior.
Blessings. Ger certainly did well. I remember him as a top athlete at Rift Valley Academy. Willy, RVA ’55
We have many fond memories of Gerald & Ruth over many years of mission involvement with them. Many of our trips from Tanzania to Nairobi for retreats or business included a visit or meal at the Morrison home. I was pleasantly surprised to find this photo of Gerald dedicating our 2nd oldest child, Kyle, at a 1988 Limuru missionary retreat in Kenya! We count it a privilege to have known the Morrisons and especially their ‘kids’ Donovan and Kathy whom we were close friends with in South Africa. Our love, prayers and condolences to the entire Morrison family on the loss of a great soldier who has gone on to his heavenly reward! Leonard, Lorie and family
I am saddened to learn about the passing of Rev. Gerald Morrison. Gerald and Ruth served God well in East Africa. Gerald was a kind-hearted and loving servant of God. He helped my family in Nairobi and Canada. His humour would leave the whole Church at Valley Road in stitches. We thank God for sending such a person to minister to us in Africa and Canada.
Only just stumbled on this notice after searching many months for Morrison family contacts,16 months later. Beautiful memories, laughter and lots of stories…I was indeed privileged tò host the Morrisons in Durban at the Student YMCA. Even had one of Geralds birthdays at Quarry Heights Community outreach project with good old Phutu and infino. Brother Mirrisin real salt of the earth preacher and a lover of the African continent. He would not stop driving. Bless you family and Sister Ruth for an amazing friendship.
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