Swansboro- Curtis Alan Morris, 54, passed away Sunday February 24, 2019.  He was born July 17, 1964 in Tachikawa, Japan son of the late, Kenneth Eugene and Joe Ann Darnell Morris.

A memorial service will be held Friday March 1, 2019 at 4:00 PM at Swansboro United Methodist Church with Rev. Scott Dodson officiating.  The family request that you come as you are Curtis did not like a suit and would want others to be comfortable.

Curtis proudly and faithfully served his country in the United States Marine Corps where he rose to the rank of Sgt. and served during Desert Storm.  After his time in the military he became a boat captain and loved spending time on the water. He was a captain aboard the Annie-O, a boat he helped design and build. Anyone who witnessed him at the helm, knew Curtis was most at home on the Ocean.

Curtis lived his life "ex-animo" (from the heart).  He was passionate and dedicated to causes he believed in, fierce protector of those he loved, hilarious storyteller with a signature laugh, tireless and meticulous laborer, gifted boat builder and technician, lover of nature and animals, sincere and loyal friend, lifelong surfer, fisherman and ocean enthusiast, a strong man of stature with a tender, loving heart.  He was a teacher, a conservationist, a patriot, a son, a brother, an uncle, a husband, and a father. He was like the sea he loved so well, full of extremes: strong but nurturing, both stormy and calm; He was like the sailors who went before him, fearless, fearful, true, and now, finally, he is at peace.

He is survived by his wife, Carrie Lynn Larson Morris of the home; daughter, Mildred Eve "Millie" Morris of the home; sister, Cynthia F. Morris of FL; brother, Christopher Morris of FL; niece, Tori Rutland (Chris) of FL; and great nephews, Willem and Henry Rutland.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to organizations Curtis was passionate about:

OWLS- Outer Banks Wildlife Shelter (100 Wildlife Way, Newport, NC 28570)

The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center (seaturtlehospital.org)

Tred Barta Boys and GirlsClub Billfish Classic (billfishclassic.com)

The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament (thebigrock.com)

The North Carolina Maritime Museum (315 Front St. Beaufort, NC 28516)

Navy Marine Corps Relief Society (400 McHugh Blvd. Camp Lejeune, NC 28547)