Home > United States of America > Nebraska > Kearney County > Minden > Minden Cemetery > James Leon “Jimmy” Morris

James Leon “Jimmy” Morris

Birth	:	26 Aug 1945 USA
Death	:	29 Apr 1962 Nebraska, USA
Burial	:	Minden Cemetery, Minden, Kearney County, USA
Coordinate	:	40.4950400, -98.9619900
Description	:	Jimmy was killed in a family airplane crash in Nebraska along with his father Dale, brother Allen, sister Diane. Jimmy's mother was not in the plane. Jimmy and I were in the same high school class and he would have graduated in the spring of 1964. Bill Larsen was the Minden High School band instructor. Barton Richardson played first chair trombone, Jimmy Morris second chair trombone, and myself third chair trombone. Diane Morris was a couple years older and about to graduate from high school. She was in many school activities and very well liked. ________________ Kearney County News Minden,... Read More	Jimmy was killed in a family airplane crash in Nebraska along with his father Dale, brother Allen, sister Diane. Jimmy's mother was not in the plane. Jimmy and I were in the same high school class and he would have graduated in the spring of 1964. Bill Larsen was the Minden High School band instructor. Barton Richardson played first chair trombone, Jimmy Morris second chair trombone, and myself third chair trombone. Diane Morris was a couple years older and about to graduate from high school. She was in many school activities and very well liked. ________________ Kearney County News Minden, Nebraska Monday April 30, 1962 [Top of front page] PLANE WRECK CLAIMS LIVES OF 4 _____________________________ The Victims. . . . _____ Jimmy, 15, was just completing his first year of high school activity. He was in band, chorus, mixed octet and a soloist at the District Music contest. He participated in all athletics, earning a letter in football. Like his father, he was eager to do what he could to help others. He, too, was active in church and youth activities. He had been a member of the Boy Scouts and attended the Jubilee [Jamboree] in Colorado Springs two summers ago. . . . . . You see why we say this is a tragic loss to the Minden area. This community was stunned Sunday afternoon when word was received of the tragic deaths of Dale Morris, 46, prominent Minden business man; and his three children, Allan 23, Diane 18 and Jimmy 15. All four were apparently killed instantly when a light plane, owned and piloted by Mr. Morris, crashed into the side of a hill seven miles northeast of Cushing, about 35 miles north of Grand Island. The four members of the family were enroute to Creighton, Nebr., to help observe the silver wedding anniversary of Mrs. Morris's sister and husband, the George Nielsens. Mrs. Morris, the Gordon Mathiasens and Nadine and Walter Mathiasen had driven to Crieghton on Saturday for the celebration, Diane and Jim had competed in the District Music contest at McCook on Saturday and were supposed to fly up to Creighton on Sunday with Dale and Allan, weather permitting. As nearly as can be determined, it is estimated that the four left the Minden airport at about 6 a.m. Sunday. A resident of the area where the plane crashed, reported hearing a plane at 6:30 a. m. and also reported hearing a crash, but did not investigate. The plane was discovered about noon by a passing motorist and in turn reported to Sheriff Dan Schenck and County Attorney Pearl Dobdy at St. Paul. After preliminary investigation, authorities in Minden were notified. According to investigating officials, there was considerable fog and mist in the area of the plane crash early in the morning. Sheriff Schenck reported that the plane had gone through a barbed wire fence before smashing into the hill and "wreckage was strewn over a large area." Federal Aviation Agency officials from Hastings and Lincoln were also conducting an investigation in an effort to determine the cause of the crash. The plane was completely demolished with many small pieces scattered over the hillside. It was theorized that the pilot may have been attempting a landing in the area; or, that because of the fog and weather, he was flying low. According to an experienced pilot who viewed the wreckage, "the plane must have been traveling at a fast rate of speed to get as demolished as it was." The preliminary investigation included a call to Minden airport manager, Dennis Nelson, who verified the registration number on the plane as that of Morris'. The bodies of three of the victims, Dale, Diane and Jim, were immediately identified, but it was not determined until after the call to Minden authorities that Allan was also on the plane. Upon positive identification an effort was made to locate Mrs. Morris at Creighton. When members of the family at Creighton were called authorities were informed that the Mathiasens and Mrs. Morris had already left for Minden after the anniversary open house. The Highway Patrol was immediately notified, and the Mathiasen auto was halted at Albion where they were given knowledge of the tragedy. Mrs. Morris and Walter Mathiasen were given immediate sedation and brought to St. Paul where the bodies were identified. Arrangements were made by the Layton Funeral Home to bring the victims to Minden. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 2 p. m. at the [Minden] high school auditorium. Mrs. Margaret Morris is the sole survivor of the immediate family. She is in the Kearney County Memorial Hospital. __________ FOR THE COMPLETE ARTICLE SEE DALE, ALLAN, OR DIANE.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is James Leon “Jimmy” Morris's memorial?
James Leon “Jimmy” Morris's memorial is located at: Minden Cemetery, Minden, Kearney County, USA.
When did James Leon “Jimmy” Morris death?
James Leon “Jimmy” Morris death on 29 Apr 1962 in Nebraska, USA
Where are the coordinates of the James Leon “Jimmy” Morris's memorial?
Latitude: 40.4950400
Longitude: -98.9619900

Family Members:

Parent

William Dale Morris

(1915 - 1962)

Margaret Caroline Mathiasen Quick

(1913 - 2006)

Siblings

Allan Dale Morris

(1939 - 1962)

Diane Jean Morris

(1943 - 1962)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Minden Cemetery
Minden, Kearney County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4950400, -98.9619900

2. Fredericksburg Cemetery
Minden, Kearney County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4261560, -98.9319700

3. White Hill Cemetery
Kearney County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5675011, -98.9805984

4. Bethany Cemetery
Axtell, Kearney County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4665413, -99.0843201

5. Liberty Cemetery
Minden, Kearney County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5833015, -98.9041977

6. Free Mission Cemetery
Kearney County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4030991, -98.9139023

7. Keene Family Cemetery
Keene, Kearney County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4270500, -99.0658900

8. Keene Cemetery
Keene, Kearney County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4227700, -99.0747900

9. May Cemetery
Norman, Kearney County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4599991, -98.8191986

10. Bethphage Cemetery
Axtell, Kearney County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4882750, -99.1190130

11. Pleasant Hill Cemetery
Axtell, Kearney County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4870000, -99.1235000

12. Garden Plain Cemetery
Minden, Kearney County, USA
Coordinate: 40.3792000, -99.0186005

13. Norman Cemetery
Norman, Kearney County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4728012, -98.7992020

14. Eaton Cemetery
Heartwell, Kearney County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5614014, -98.8003006

15. Fort Kearney Post Cemetery
Buffalo County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6429000, -99.0066400

16. Mound Valley Cemetery
Blaine Township, Kearney County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5849341, -99.1428820

17. Osco Cemetery
Kearney County, USA
Coordinate: 40.3725014, -98.8118973

18. Salem Methodist Church Cemetery
Axtell, Kearney County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4528000, -99.1790000

19. Hildreth Cemetery
Hildreth, Franklin County, USA
Coordinate: 40.3293991, -99.0294037

20. Saint Peters Cemetery
Hildreth, Franklin County, USA
Coordinate: 40.3280983, -99.0475006

21. Holy Family Cemetery
Heartwell, Kearney County, USA
Coordinate: 40.5960999, -98.7605972

22. Wilcox Cemetery
Wilcox, Kearney County, USA
Coordinate: 40.3657990, -99.1511002

23. Upland Cemetery
Upland, Franklin County, USA
Coordinate: 40.3078003, -98.8974991

24. Fridhem Cemetery
Funk, Phelps County, USA
Coordinate: 40.4678001, -99.2174988