Dr. Tom V. Morrison, 74
Funeral services for Dr. Tom V. Morrison, 74, of Branson, were held May 28, 2022, at the Hollister Church of Christ, followed by a graveside service at Smith Chapel Church of Christ in Gainesville.
He died May 22. Tom was born on Oct. 19, 1947, in Gainesville to Dr. Winsor V. Morrison and Florence Byrdella Morrison.
He met his bride, Linda (Locke) Morrison, at Abilene (Texas) Christian College, and they were married on Aug. 23, 1968, in Dallas, Texas.
After college graduation, he completed his medical school education at the University of Tennessee in Memphis, graduating in 1973.
Tom and Linda then moved to San Francisco, California, and he completed a general surgery internship before moving to Tanana, Arkansas, to fulfill his commitment to the U.S. Public Health Service (Uniformed Services) providing medical care to the Alaska Natives, where his first emergency while on-call was a bear bite.
He and Linda lived in Tanana for two years prior to moving back to California where he completed his residency in ophthalmology over the next three years. They then returned to Alaska for three and a half years, and Tom served as chief of the ophthalmology department in the U.S. Public Health Service, the Alaskan native hospital in Anchorage.
He achieved a rank of Commander (Lieutenant Colonel grade) prior to moving to Branson where he opened the first ophthalmology practice in the tri-lakes area. Tom served the Branson and surrounding communities for over 35 years before retiring.
He took great joy in assisting countless patients with their vision. He subsequently loved every minute of retirement, enjoying the opportunity to spend time with Linda and his family, including six grandchildren.
Tom’s example and service as a Christian was clearly seen by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. He loved serving as a Bible class teacher, deacon and as an elder at the Hollister Church of Christ. He enjoyed yearly visits to the annual Freed-Hardemen Bible Lectureships in Henderson, Tennessee. He had a soft and loving heart as evidenced by the tears in his eyes with each song that he sang during worship services.
Tom also loved everything outdoors, including cattle farming, hunting, fishing and boating. He had a special fondness for trips to Alaska. His resilience and mental fortitude was evidenced on these trips which required an incredible amount of work and stamina as his friends and family can attest.
Tom is survived by his wife Linda; father Dr. Winsor V. Morrison; sister Katherine Morrison-Meeker-Cohen and husband Jack; brother Dr. Michael Morrison and wife Missy; sons Dr. Aaron Morrison and wife Brittany; and Steven Morrison and wife Abbey; and six grandchildren.
Tom was preceded in death by his mother Florence Byrdella Morrison.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Hollister Church of Christ for use in missions and assisting those in need.