Dr. James U. Morrison, Jr.

Dr. James U. Morrison, Jr. passed away at his residence February 11, 2012. Memorial service will be held Tuesday at 10:00 am at Memory Chapel. Dr. Morrison was preceded in death by his parents, James U., Sr. and Louise Morrison of Clarksville, Tennessee and son, Dr. Charles Edgar “Ed” Morrison of Columbus, Mississippi. Dr. Morrison is survived by his wife, Ruby; five children, Jim Morrison (Barbara) of Tampa, Mary Markham of Laurel, Tommy Morrison (Wanda) of Laurel, Bill Morrison (Jill) of Laurel and Beth Johnson (Hank) of Gulfport; two step-children, Kim Keyes (Matt) of Nashville and Randy Keyes (Teena) of Laurel; two brothers, Charles of Houston and Gwinn of Shreveport; and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Dr. Morrison was a member of Antioch United Methodist Church of Laurel. Dr. James Urban Morrison, Jr. was born on February 12, 1917, in Alexandria, Louisiana to Louise Matthews and James Urban Morrison. He was the oldest of three boys. In 1928, his family moved to Shreveport, Louisiana which would remain home through college. He attended Northeast Louisiana Junior College. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree from Centenary College in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1939. He graduated from Tulane University School of Medicine in 1944. Dr. Morrison did his residency in pediatrics at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland and another residency in contagious diseases at Sydenham Hospital, also in Baltimore. Upon completing his residencies, he served as the Chief of Pediatrics at Chelsea U. S. Naval Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. He then served on the Medical School faculty at Tulane University Medical School in New Orleans. While on the Tulane faculty he served as the Pediatric Consultant to the Mississippi State Board of Health. Dr. Morrison established his pediatric practice in Laurel at The Children’s Clinic in 1949 with Dr. Charles Gillespie. Dr. Morrison became the sole pediatrician in the practice after Dr. Gillespie’s passing in the mid 1950’s. He was also in partnership with Dr. Bob McLauren at Laurel General Hospital. He was the second President of the medical staff at Jones County Community Hospital. He served as the medical Director of the Charity Hospital in Laurel until it closed. He was also a member of the medical staff at Ellisville State School and the Family Health Center. Dr. Morrison was a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Fellow of the American Board of Pediatrics and Fellow of the International Academy of Medicine. He also served as a member of the American Medical Association and the MS State Medical Association. When not practicing medicine, Dr. Morrison loved to raise and train bird dogs, specifically English Setters. His passion was rewarded in 1961 when he won the championship at the Southern Regional Field Trial. Dr. Morrison practiced medicine in the Laurel community for over 50 years. He spent much of the time pioneering new and innovative ways to better serve his patients and the community. His dedication to bettering the health of all he served enriched the community and the lives of countless thousands of patients.

Dr. James U. Morrison, Jr.

February 12, 1917 - February 11, 2012