Marvin Richard Morrison
Gilbert- Maricopa County
Inducted in 2009
Marvin Richard Morrison was a native Arizonan, the only one of his siblings born there. His father, Howard, came to Arizona in 1916. Just 16 years old at the time, Howard was sweet on a girl from Oklahoma whose family had moved West because of the Roosevelt Dam's construction and good irrigation water availability. Howard followed. The object of his affection was just 12 at the time and too young to marry, but Howard knew she was the one he wanted for his wife and was willing to bide his time. He worked as a laborer for four years, waiting until she was 16 before asking her hand in marriage.
Marvin was born in Gilbert before his parents moved back to Oklahoma to be near the rest of the family. Life was hard in Oklahoma in the mid-'20s. With a second son, Kenneth, to raise, Marvin's father joined one of his California brothers, who had a small farm and dairy operation. Marvin's younger sister, Betty, was born during their stay in California.
The unexpected death of Howard's brother made staying in California difficult for the family, so they picked up once more and headed for Hatch, New Mexico. Thanksgiving was the turning point in the little family's life. On their way to Hatch, they stopped at the Nichols' home, Marvin's mother's family, in Gilbert for Thanksgiving dinner. Marvin's uncle Hugh took Howard aside and encouraged him to stay in Gilbert. That Monday, all of the kids were enrolled in school, and the family put down roots, literally. This journey, filled with ups and downs, showcases Marvin's resilience and adaptability.
While still in elementary school in Gilbert, Marvin met the love of his life, June Neely. With him being a Morrison and her being a Neely and seating done alphabetically, they sat next to each other all through elementary school, junior high school, and senior high school. They married when he was home on a short leave from the Army during World War II.
In the Army, Marvin was made a cadet/squad leader. Marvin and his men were given a short leave when they were about to ship out. Ironically, Marvin is said to have told his men, "Now don't you be going home and getting married or anything," after which he promptly went home and proposed to June. The couple was married in 1944 and had only a few days for a honeymoon. After which, Marvin was due to catch a train for New Jersey, where he and his platoon were being sent overseas. Eighteen months later, Marvin was wounded in battle. He was sent to Germany but returned to light duty before coming home after the war. Because of his service in the military, Marvin was not able to finish college. Despite that fact, he was skilled in mathematics and engineering. After the War, Marvin went to work on the family farm.
When his brother Kenneth was discharged from the Navy in the late 1940s, their father talked to the brothers about taking over the family farm. He told them he would not give them the land but would let them rent it and supply them with the equipment, effectively allowing him to retire and let them have control of running the farm.
Marvin and Kenneth started a farming enterprise in the Gilbert area known simply as the Morrison Brother's Ranch in 1946. In 1947, Marvin and June's first child was born. The business grew to include a 2,650-acre cotton farm, the Arizona Dairy Company in southeast Mesa, a feedlot, and a cattle ranch in Coconino and Yavapai Counties. The brothers rotated cotton and alfalfa and grew several other crops. For many years, they had a two or three-thousand-head feedlot just south of the farm headquarters. Today, four silos from the operation remain as a landmark in Gilbert. The feedlot was later closed because they decided it was too volatile.
Marvin was deeply committed to agriculture. He was named Man of the Year in Arizona Agriculture twice. His activities included a stint as president of the Arizona 4-H Youth Foundation, which received recognition from the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1985 as the National Partner in 4-H. In 1957, he was elected president of the Arizona Farm Bureau Federation and served until 1962. He also served on the national board of the American Farm Bureau during that time. Well-respected in the industry, Marvin was asked by President John F. Kennedy's administration to serve as the Under Secretary for the USDA. Marvin declined this offer because he had a young family at home and decided that being a career politician was not for him. Always an innovator, Marvin converted from four-row to six-row equipment in the 1960s, and the farm went from baled hay to cubes. He also worked extensively with the extension service in crop research. They experimented with different varieties of cotton and wheat, and Marvin kept meticulous records. June recalls Marvin counting every drop of liquid fertilizer so that he would know the exact measurements.
Marvin was crucial in getting the water needed for the experimental irrigation systems. At one point, negotiations with the Roosevelt Water Conservation District for the water went differently than planned. Marvin went down to their office, asked for a blank piece of paper, and proceeded to sign his name at the bottom. He then told them, "Whatever is needed to get the water, put it above this signature, and we'll get it done."
On December 22, 1967, Marvin's life was forever changed. As Marvin was driving on the rural roads of Gilbert, he was broad-sided by a garbage truck that had failed to stop at an intersection. Marvin was thrown from the pickup truck and suffered a severe brain injury. He spent nearly two months in the hospital, and upon his release, he had to relearn how to count and do math. The lingering effects of the brain injury were a constant challenge that Marvin would have to face for the rest of his life. Three years after the accident, and with the support of his wife, Marvin was back to serving the community, traveling to speaking engagements, and publishing papers.
Always regretful that he could not complete his college education because of the War, Marvin returned to school. In 1984, he earned his undergraduate degree and earned his master's degree. In 1992, ASU awarded him an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. Dedicated to his community, Marvin was active in several civic organizations, including being appointed to the Atomic Energy Commission and serving on the board of Arizona Public Service for 29 years. He spent 14 years on the Gilbert Schools governing board. A farmer and philanthropist, Marvin and his wife June endowed the Morrison Institute for Public Policy in 1982, and in 1997, initiated additional gifts to the Institute and the School of Agribusiness at ASU's East Campus (now the Morrison School of Management and Agribusiness at ASU's Polytechnic Campus).
Marvin Morrison passed away on February 5, 2007, and is survived by his three sons, Richard, Scott, and Howard. A reminder of Marvin's family legacy can be seen near the corner of Higley Rd. and Elliot Rd. Four large grain silos stand out on the horizon as if watching over the land and the farm that once was.
Affiliations
Gilbert 4-H Club - Community Leader
Arizona 4-H Foundation - President
Gilbert Rotary - Board Member
Boy Scouts of America - Board Member
Arizona Farm Bureau Federation - President,1957 - 1962
Arizona Farm Bureau Federation - Board Member
Gilbert School Board - Member
Maricopa County School Boards Association - President
Arizona's first Atomic Energy Commission - Appointed Member
Arizona Public Service- Board of Directors, 29 years
Arizona Town Hall - One of the Founding Members
Chandler Rotary Club - President
Toastmasters International - Member
Chandler Community Hospital - Board President
Chandler Hospital District - President
AG 100 Club - Member
Arizona Center for Rural Development - Board Member
Gilbert United Methodist Church - Administrative Board, 43 years and Chair, 20 years
Awards
Man of the Year in Arizona Agriculture - twice
National Partner of the Year - 1985, United States Department of Agriculture
Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree - Arizona State University
ASU Lifetime Achievement Award - posthumously in 2007
Gilbert Toastmasters - Man of the Year 1983
U of A Alumni Distinguished Citizen Award- 1970
