Merlin E. Morrow

Dr. Merlin Morrow, former Athletic Director and professor at Hardin-Simmons University, died Wednesday, September 21, after an extended illness. Burial will be Tuesday, September 27th at 10 a. m. at Elmwood Memorial Park. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church, Abilene, with a visitation to follow. Services are under the direction of Hamil Family Funeral home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd. Merlin was born October 12, 1936 in Dallas, Texas, the only child of Ted H. and Launa (Koerth) Morrow. He graduated from Northwest High School in 1954 and from Baylor University in 1958. He married Barbara Ann (Breeland) on December 20, 1958, in Mart, Texas. He went on to earn a Masters degree in 1966 and Doctorate in 1972, both from Baylor. He began his teaching and coaching career in Belton, Texas and continued with positions in Waco, at Lake Air Jr. High, Richfield and University High Schools. He served as a consultant at Region 10 Educational Service Center and Paul Quinn College, as head of the Physical Education department. In 1976, he accepted the position of department head of Physical Education at Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas. In 1981, he and his family made their final move to Abilene, where he served as chairman of the Physical Education department at Hardin-Simmons University. During his tenure as department chair, Dr. Morrow helped develop and write curriculum for the first Masters degree program in Physical Education at HSU. In 1989, he was asked to take on the additional role of Athletic Director at HSU, building the then-new football program from the ground up. It was his desire for this program to be first-class and HSU enjoyed great success under his direction. Health issues forced him to resign as AD in 1995, but continued teaching. He was commissioned to write a book, cataloging the history of HSU athletics and in 1997 he published Hardin Simmons University Athletics: The First Century, 1897-1997. After 43 years in education, he retired from HSU in 2001. Merlin served on numerous committees over the years, some of which included the Parks and Recreation Dept. board, both in Brownwood and Abilene, the Polk-Key City Classic, Maxwell Municipal Golf Course, and American Red Cross. He was appointed as the vice-president of Recreation for the Texas Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance; the state's professional organization and he was a member of Phi Delta Kappa. Hardin Simmons named an award in his honor, along with Dr. Peter Gilman, awarded to a deserving education student, the Gilman-Morrow award. He was named to the HSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015. He also served in the Army Reserve in the early years of their marriage, taught Defensive Driving in Brownwood and Abilene, and he was a Mason. Upon his retirement, he was able to golf daily, something that he loved and considered 'therapy', both for body and spirit. He also bought Silverado Stables and completely remodeled this facility to accommodate horse boarding. In later years, health issues forced him to give up both of these. Of all the honors and accolades bestowed on Merlin, his greatest love was in the service of Christ. He served on countless committees and as chairman of the deacons at Park Lake Drive Baptist Church (Waco), First Baptist Church (Brownwood) and First Baptist Church (Abilene) and taught Sunday School for over 50 years, his last being the Adult 1 Men's Sunday School class at FBC Abilene. He also enjoyed singing and playing the guitar and he lent his rich baritone voice to the Men's Ensemble at FBC as well as "The Geezers", a musical trio, of which he was a founding member. During the last few years, he and Barbara felt led to split their time between First Baptist and Clear Fork Baptist in Hawley, where they worshipped and broaden their fellowship of friends. Merlin is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 57 years, Barbara; an adoring daughter, LuAnn Morrow Whitaker, of Abilene; granddaughter, Mackenzie Whitaker; grandson, McCord Whitaker, both of Abilene; brothers-in-law, Lewis Breeland and Allan Breeland, of Mart, TX; several nieces and nephews; numerous cousins, respected colleagues and cherished friends. Honorary pallbearers are the Adult 1 Men's Sunday School class at First Baptist Church, Abilene. The family would like to thank Drs. Goodman, Zhang, and Walia as well as the nursing staff of Hendrick Parker 3 and 7, Collier 6, and Anderson 7 for their compassionate care. Special appreciation to Dr. Phil Christopher, Dr. Larry Tarver, and Rodney Watson as well as the church families of First Baptist, Clear Fork Baptist, and Lytle South Baptist churches for the prayers and spiritual support during recent months. Because education was paramount and was his life's calling, in lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be made to the Dr. Merlin Morrow Scholarship Fund at Hardin Simmons University.