Obituary: James G. Morrow Sr.

Aug. 29, 1935 – Feb. 9, 2024

James G. Morrow Sr. age 88 of Manitowoc, died Friday, Feb. 9, 2024 at St. Mary’s Home of Felician Village.

Jim was born on Aug. 29, 1935 in Sturgeon Bay, son of the late Bernard and Mabel (Wendricks) Morrow. He grew up on the family farm and attended a one-room schoolhouse until age 14. Jim was a graduate of Sturgeon Bay High School, class of 1953 and he furthered his education by double majoring in Mechanical Engineering and Agriculture at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, graduating in 1958. On June 25, 1960, Jim married Shirley A. Neuchter at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Institute, and they were married over 47 years until her death in 2007. Jim spent many happy times with friends and family, first at the cottage on Crooked Lake and then when Jim and Shirley returned “home” to Door County to a special house they built on the channel in Sturgeon Bay. Jim often remarked “I’m just a poor farmer” and it was clear that Dad “left the farm, but the farm never left him.” Jim was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Manitowoc.

In 1958 Jim began his career at Manitowoc Engineering. After spending more than 25 years there and holding positions varying from Project Engineer to Director of Engineering, he left Manitowoc Engineering and began a new venture when he purchased Heiden Manufacturing, owning, operating and serving as President of both Heiden and C&M Unlimited until his retirement in 2005.

Jim dedicated a great deal of his time assisting both the Manitowoc and the Engineering communities on various boards and committees. This involvement included over 30 years as a member of the Manitowoc Public Utilities Commission as well as numerous positions with National Engineering Societies where he shared his extensive expertise relating to heavy equipment. Jim was happiest when involved in a “project” and he received great satisfaction from helping others find solutions to their problems.

Survivors include his three sons and daughters-in-law: James (Cheryl) Morrow Jr., Wauwatosa, Jeffrey (Lori) Morrow, Wauwatosa, Jon (Jenny) Morrow, Neenah; eight grandchildren: Matthew (Jia) Morrow, Alyssa Morrow and her husband, Mark Schneider, Elizabeth Morrow, Joshua Morrow, Caitlin Morrow, Logan Morrow, Mason Morrow, Nolan Morrow; one great-grandchild: Margaret Morrow; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law include: Robert Greene, Agnes Petersen, Kathy Neuchter; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends also survive. Jim was preceded in death by his parents: Bernard and Mabel Morrow; his wife: Shirley Ann Morrow; one sister: LaVerne Spencer; his father-in-law and mother-in-law: John and Isabel Neuchter; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: August Neuchter, Annabelle Greene, Robert Petersen, Joseph Neuchter, John (Margaret) Neuchter.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 am on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024 at St. Francis of Assisi on Waldo, 1121 North 14th Street, Manitowoc. The Rev. Doug LeCaptain will celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial, with burial to follow at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery, Institute. Relatives and friends may call at the church on Friday from 9:30 am until the time of Mass at 11 am.

The Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes, Pfeffer location is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com

The family would like to thank the staffs of St. Mary’s at Felician Village and Aurora At-Home Hospice for the loving care shown to Jim during his recent illness.

If Jim could have had just one wish, it would have been that a cure for Breast Cancer would have granted him more years with his wife, Shirley. Therefore, should you be so moved, Jim’s family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers, you consider a donation to the American Cancer Society in his honor.