We are so saddened for the loss to this family. I truly believe that his guardian angel brought him home to spend this time with his family before his calling him home.
David D. Morris
May 5, 1967 – November 20, 2020
UPDATED 9/21/21
A Celebration of Life will be held from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at the St. Louis Catholic Church Parish Hall in Paynesville.
David D. Morris, 53, of Sartell died suddenly on Fri., Nov. 20, 2020 at the St. Cloud Hospital from complications of colonic obstruction surgery.
He was born May 5, 1967 in St. Cloud to Harold Dean and Mary Ellen Morris. He graduated from Paynesville High School in 1985 and from the University of Minnesota in 1991.
Lessons learned in his earliest years — delivering The St. Cloud Times, detasseling corn, mowing lawns for widows, sending thoughtful cards — shaped the values of his life: Work hard, show respect, and give back.
As the son, grandson and nephew of veterans, he was proud to have grown up with words like service and sacrifice. His role in Memorial Day ceremonies grew from Boy Scout leading the pledge, to trumpeter playing taps, to Boy Stater reading the Gettysburg Address.
He loved to explore the world, from racing up the stairs of the Statue of Liberty when he was six to practicing his German and Russian on business trips.
In 1989 he was traveling in Berlin when the wall came down, and in 1999 he married Catherine Bystritskaya, so proud that his parents flew from Minnesota to Moscow to attend.
His 30-year career in hotel management began at the Radisson Plaza in downtown Minneapolis in 1991 and led to a dozen assignments in Russia, Kazakhstan, Latvia, China, Azerbaijan, Tatarstan, and Armenia.
During his return visits to Minnesota he found that “Yes,” was the easiest answer to the frequent question of “Are you the brother who works in Russia?”
Since returning full time to the U.S. in summer 2019, he served as General Manager of the Holiday Inn & Suites in St. Cloud and said he was honored to work with such a strong team.
His family was excited to put down roots in Sartell, where he recently taught their older daughter how to drive and their younger daughter how to roast perfect marshmallows for backyard s’mores.
He is survived by his wife Catherine; daughters Mary and Julia; mother Mary Ellen of Paynesville; brothers Jared (Jodi) of Portland and Scott of Sacramento; aunt Mary Ann Tourres of Waite Park; uncles Bill (Rose) of St. Cloud, Bob of Avon, and Dick (Carol Jean) of St. Thomas; many cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father Harold “Dean”; uncles Al Tourres and Tom O’Connell; grandparents Harold and Marcella Morris of St. Cloud, James and Agatha O’Connell of St. Thomas, and step grandmother Marge Esser-O’Connell of Shakopee.
His family sends thanks to the neighbors for the pans of lasagna, to the medical teams who gave it their all, and to Fr. Frederick for asking God during last rites “to send angels and saints to greet David.”
Memorials are preferred for the education funds of daughters Mary and Julia.
Guestbook
I was shocked and deeply saddened by the devastating news of David’s passing. I have worked with David for a little over a year since he returned from Russia. I have grown very fond of him over this time. He always had a smile and had a very positive outlook on life. David was a great leader and mentor. I enjoyed all of my interactions with him, he was very honest and sincere in his dealing with everyone. I learned a lot from him. It is a great loss and he will be deeply missed. My thoughts and prayers are with David’s family.
I simply could not believe that David had passed away. We never worked together, but our paths crossed for several times within the company. David was always, when we met, talkative, positive and took time to hear how things are going. He achieved a lot but there was certainly so much more to come.
David will be deeply missed. Our prayers and condolences are with David’s family and relatives.
Mary Ellen, Catherine, Mary, Julia, and Family, I’m stunned and deeply saddened to hear of David’s passing. David was in my graduating class and I was constantly amazed by his intelligence, leadership skills, and how he could express himself effectively both verbally and in writing. We had several spirited conversations ourselves, and David always taught me something or helped me look at an issue from a unique perspective. David’s example pushed me to be a better student, and he was always kind to me. I knew David would have a special career path, and I delighted in hearing about his international adventures. My thoughts and prayers are with your family and please know that David will be deeply missed.
I hereby want to express our deepest words of sympathy to the family of David Morris on behalf of the Park Inn by Radisson Team in Baku/Azerbaijan. We are truly sorry to learn about David’s death. David was a wonderful person and inspiring leader to the employees of this hotel, pushing them to perform at their best, but always with a warm heart and open ear for each and every team member. Please accept our condolences at this difficult time. David was a remarkable man and made differences in the lives of many here at the Park Inn. He left a legacy at this hotel that will never be forgotten.
So sorry to hear of David’s passing. We live a few blocks from Mary Ellen, his Mother, and watched the boys grow up. We attended their Eagle Scout Court of Honors and watched them grow up to be wonderful young men!
God’s plan is not always clear but time will tell the reasons for life. Please know there are so many that are only a phone call away!
In our thoughts and prayers!
Dear Catherine my deepest sympathies and condolences to you and your family on your terrible loss.I first met David when I joined the Moscow Team in ’95. and remember meeting David’s parents at the time of your wedding. We worked together until my transferred to Beijing in 2000.
I remain in touch with Olivier Rochefort.
So sad to hear the news last night. David was the kind of positive person that you rarely meet in life. He was always so kind to his fellow colleagues and caring for his family. He returned in USA for the well-being of his kids to ensure proper education. I can only remember his passion in everything, family, hotels, employees. True dedicated hotelier.He was also the smile and joy face in our meetings with always nice stories to tell. My heart goes out to his loving family in this time of pain and sorrow. Michel
My Deepest condolences to David’s Family, Friends and Staff he managed with Sand Companies. Cambria Rock Hill- University SC managed by Sand Companies will continue to pray for strength and peace now and after the love ones of Mr. David.
– Kendale Kinlow General Manager of Cambria Rock Hill-University Center Rock Hill South Carolina
So sad to hear this news. My sympathies are going to his family. What a enormous loss for his family.
I enjoyed working with David and still recall our last meeting . Such a great person. My deepest condolences
Incredibly sad to hear the news earlier about the passing of David, may he Rest in Peace. What a wonderfully positive person to work with, David never had a bad word to say about anyone or anything, positive to the core. nothing phased him, nothing was impossible and he was incredibly kind. I know there are many people around the globe that are truly saddened by the news that he is no longer with us. My heart goes out to his loving family in this time of pain and sorrow.
Tom Flanagan
Area Senior Vice President, Radisson Hotel Group
Catherine, I am so sorry for your enormous loss, I have no words. My sympathies to you and your daughters, and the Morris family. David was a big brother to me when he welcomed me on the team in Moscow in 1999. Our working relationship evolved into a true friendship. It was because of him reaching out and his recommendations that I ended up in Beijing in 2007, which led to the most defining moments of my life. I will miss my calls with David every now and then, just to keep in touch, or when seeking advice. David will be missed. Rest In Peace my friend.
David sure made the most out of his short time on this earth. Wish I would have been able to catch up with him in person. Sending prayers during this difficult time.
The Quarfot family is so sorry for Dave’s passing. I really enjoyed my friendship with him. God bless in this very difficult times
Services
Visitation
St. Louis Catholic ChurchServices
St. Louis Catholic ChurchSchedule Details
A Celebration of Life will be held from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at the St. Louis Catholic Church Parish Hall. David D. Morris, 53, of Sartell died suddenly on Fri., Nov. 20, 2020 at the St. Cloud Hospital from complications of colonic obstruction surgery.