Don Morse, Jr.
Don and Janey Morse pictured with multi National Champion Vitorio TO.
many of the world’s largest, most prestigious shows—the Salon du Cheval, for example. They formed a partnership with Dan and Maureen Grossman and purchased the yearling Vitorio TO, a son of the Grossmans’ stallion, DA Valentino. Don and Janey bought full interest in Vitorio a year later. At the 2011 U.S. National Championships we had so much fun and so much laughter. I never dreamed it would be our last show together. Don Morse was larger than life. I have never met another man quite like him.” “If you knew Don or had the opportunity to be in his presence, you know what a light he was to this world,” adds Terry Ann Boggs, David’s wife. “The fact that hundreds of people waited in line for two hours to pay their respects to him speaks volumes to me.” As Boggs indicated, the Oak Ridge Arabian horses are as unforgettable as was their owner. In addition to multiple national champion Vitorio TO, the stallions Fausto CRH (by Magnum Psyche), Vegas DPA (an EA Echstravagant grandson), and Giovanni Chall MTC (by Don El Chall and co-owned with Midwest Station II), also stand at Oak Ridge. Counterpoint to those luminaries is a broodmare band featuring daughters of Marwan Al Shaqab, Bey Shah, FS Ritz, Justafire DGL, Baske Afire, WN Ultimate Star,
Padrons Psyche, Magnum Psyche, Falcon BHF, Ames Charisma and other leading sires. Several national-winning Half-Arabians share the Oak Ridge colors as well. Don Morse Jr. is survived by his wife Janey, and their four children: Donald L. Morse III, Lori Morse Mantua and Scott Schindlbeck, all of Freeport, and daughter Kristin Morse, of Jensen Beach, Fla. Also surviving are his brother, David Morse, sister Joy Fritz, and seven grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions in his name be sent to Malcolm Eaton Enterprises of Freeport, Ill., one of his favorite charities, or to the Arabian Horsemen’s Distress Fund, another favorite. In the article “Morse Was Larger Than Life,” which ran in the Freeport Journal Standard on December 17, 2011, writer Dave Manley addressed what made Don Morse who he was personally and professionally. “Morse Group president Lou Rotello said that the quality that made Morse so successful was his ability to be fair,” wrote Manley, “whether that be with his employees or clients, Rotello said that Morse was always willing to listen and do what was right. ‘He was like a father and a mentor— fair, kind and considerate,’ Rotello said. ‘He loved to have fun, but was serious in business.’” n Volume 42, No. 8 | 235