REFLECTIONS OF LIFE
George Morrison, Jr. June 11, 1925 – May 10, 2015
George Morrison, Jr., 89, was a member of one of Colorado’s territorial families, his great-grandparents settled in Colorado in 1874. He was born in Denver, CO of the late Willa May and George Morrison, Sr. (celebrated Jazz musician), and brother of Marian Morrison Robinson. Morrison attended Whittier Elementary, Cole Junior High, and Manual High School. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, he attended the University of Denver (DU) and then completed his graduate work at Stanford University and DU. In 1948 he married Marjorie Briggs at Scott United Methodist Church. They had two daughters, Vicki and Trudi. Morrison began his tenure in DPS as a teacher at Whittier and Barrett Elementary School from 1952 to 1963. He was the first elementary school assistant principal in DPS at Columbine Elementary School from 1963 to 1966. He was a principal at Wyatt Elementary and Cole Junior High School from 1966 to 1971. After serving as DPS Administrative Director of Secondary Education from 1971 to 1989, Morrison retired in 1989 as executive director of High School Education. As a community and human rights activist, Morrison was appointed by Gov. John Love to the Colorado Civil Rights Commission in 1969, holding both chair and vice chair positions. Morrison also founded the Denver All Stars Track Team, coached and refereed many sports and in 1996, was inducted into the DPS Athletic Department Coaches Hall of Fame. Morrison served as board chairman of the Denver Public Schools Employees’ Credit Union six separate terms and as a member of the board of directors continuously from 19731998. He served as Colorado Civil Rights Commission, chairman from 1971 to
1973 and was appointed by Mayor W.H. McNichols Jr. as a member of the Commission on Community Relations in 1982. He was appointed by President Gerald Ford to serve on the Colorado Selective Service board, where he served 15 years. He was appointed to the Community Corrections Board by Mayor Pena; and was on the board of directors for the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. He was honored and recognized by many organizations for his service to the community. They include the Colorado Credit Union Financial and Support System; Phi Delta Kappa; the Denver Black Arts Festival, Inc. (Louise Duncan award); Minoru Yasui Community Volunteer Award; Colorado Black Round Table Education Champion; Colorado Association of School Executives; Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. African-American Male Image Award; Colorado Gospel Music Academy Award; Juanita Ross Gray Community Service Award; The Family Tree Award; and the Colorado Credit Union League Volunteer of the Year. Morrison was a lifetime member of Shorter A.M.E. Church and was baptized in 1925. As an active member in church, as a child he was involved in Sunday school and played the violin. As an adult, he served with in numerous capacities, including a Sunday School Teacher and Assistant Sunday School Superintendent, Board of Trustees, Finance Committee, Shorter Education Committee, Shorter Credit Union Board, and Housing Committee. The role he most enjoyed was church violinist for more than 60 years. He was a Lifetime Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Rocky Mountain Lodge #1 of PHa; Syrian Temple #49 A.E.A.O.N.M.S., Phi Delta Kappa, Lone Star Chapter #1 OES; and the American Legion of Colorado. Morrison enjoyed fishing, despite the size of the catch; playing bridge; and doting on his family. He leaves his beloved wife, Marjorie; his daughter, Vicki (Denver, CO); daughter, Trudi Michelle Morrison Davis, and husband, Ronnie (Aurora, CO); grandchildren Simone Danielle and husband Ryan Ross (Aurora, CO); and Logan Morrison Saunders (Potomac, MD); greatgrandchildren Gavin Morrison Ross and Zoë Monroe Ross; nephew, George Morrison Bailey (Stuttgart, Germany); and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and adoring friends.
Josephine M. Mann
October 12, 1924 - May 10, 2015
Josephine M. Mann was a longtime member of one of Colorado’s most civically involved families in the Denver Catholic Community. She was born on October 12, 1924 to Sgt. Chester A. Reed and Maria MolinaReed. Jo grew up in Nogales, AZ, near the border of Mexico and was fluent in Spanish and as a ‘cradle’ Catholic, she enjoyed dual citizenship – being bilingual and great with people at a young age, she even worked for the department of immigration while in high school. Her brother Frank Reed was the first war hero to be killed in action during WWII and her father Chester A. Reed was a Sgt in the 10th Calvary, also known as the Buffalo Soldiers. She met Leonard J. Mann and they were married 1943 and moved to Denver, CO, soon after the war. In March 1951 they welcomed Gerald (Jerry) Mann to their family. They all remained very active members of the Denver Catholic Community. At Denver Community College she taught accelerated Spanish/English (ESL) courses for many years. She was also listed as a resource person in the City and County Directory for Spanish speaking people. Over 25 years she was the Travel and PR Director for the YWCA. Josephine Mann has always taken responsibilities very seriously as she was a member of Church Women United for more than 20 years and has served as treasurer for the local unit. She was also on the Finance Committee on the Colorado State Board. Jo has been a member of Cure d’ Ars Catholic Community since 1962 and understood as well as practiced its doctrine. She served on the Budget and Finance Committee, worked on the Campaign for Human Development at the Archdiocese level, and was among the committee members who prevented the loss of Cure d’Ars Church during the late 70s. She also served as a volunter worker at
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the Parish Center Office. She worked with her late husband, Leonard, in the “L” Club at Loyola Catholic Church on fundraisers to build an elementary school. At the Annunciation Catholic Church, she was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society, Legion of Mary, and worked with the Sisters on First Communion and Confirmation classes. Jo was one of the founding members of the National Association of Black Catholics, now known locally as the Denver Council for Black Catholics. She was also a member of the Knights and Ladies of Peter Claver, Charlie Bright Court #261. Jo has been invovled in church activities all of her life. Jo was a member of the Denver East International Lions Club where her dedication included program development and volunteering at schools and hospitals for eye examinations. She was also the official Spanish interpreter for this unit. In 1992, Jo Mann was selected as an outstanding Colorado Senior Citizen to go to Washington, D.C. to participate in a conference on Issues and Policies affecting seniors. Some of Jo’s other activities also included the Denver Center for Performing Arts (Development of the Senior Initiative/Kindred Spirits Program), Public Relations for the Zion Senior Center, Martin Luther King Leisure Club Treasurere, former Denver Urban League Guild Treasurer, YWCA world Mutual Services International Committee, UNICEF, AKITA Club, Natioanl Association of Retired Federal Employees, and Queen City Chapter 995 of AARP, as well as the Institute for Women’s Studies and Services. She has also served as an election judge for the City and County of Denver. Josephine Mann departed this life on Sunday, May 10 and was proceeded in death by both her parents: Chester A. Reed and Maria MolinaReed, her brother: Frank Reed, and her husband Leonard J. Mann. She leaves to cherish memory, son Gerald “Jerry” T. Mann (Sandra) of Denver, CO; grandchildren Garrett T. Mann (Crystal Johnson-Mann, MD) of Charleston, SC and Christa M. Mann of Indiannapolis, IN; goddaughters Michelle “Myke” Olsen (Flemming) of Yelm, WA, and Jorge-Ayn “Jay” Riley of Denver, CO.