Jacksonville – Rodney Ward Morton, 82, of Jacksonville, North Carolina went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, October 15, 2026. Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 23, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Kellum Baptist Church with Rev. Jason Willaford officiating. Burial will immediately follow at Pittman Family Cemetery.

He is preceded in death by his father, Tommy Morton; Mother, Julia Ann Morton; four brothers, Ivy Morton, Dwight “Dee” Morton, Jimmy Morton, and Archie Morton; three sisters, Ruby Pittman, Sara Parker, and Judy Timar; Wives, Betty Morton Brown and Leigh Mobley Morton.

Rodney Ward Morton, born in Jacksonville, NC, leaves behind a true legacy of a simple man and a country life. Born to a farmer in a large, local family, he was never afraid of hard work. He worked long, hard days of contruction at different companies and retired from Pro-Construction.

He raised two children that he taught to love roots, family, friends, and the great outdoors. Just like their daddy, you will often find them working hard and playing hard with a shared love of outdoor adventures. Rodney cared for his niece and nephew under wing and roof, when his brother Jimmy passed. He was also dad to second family and took care of all.

Rodney was a lifelong member of Northeast Hunting Club. He loved to hunt all over and trained prize-winning hounds earning many throphies both literal and mounted ones.

His best “prize” ever was accepting Christ as his Lord and Savior at Kellum Baptist Church. He was baptized as a boy and later recommitted his life and was baptized again. At Kellum, he was active in the church softball league, playing at Bethlehem Baptist Church and with the over 50 league with Rec.

He loved to watch “Rastlin” and we’re sure he got lots of wrestling practice with four brothers! He loved racing and we also know he got practice as a young man on the old back roads. He also enjoyed some Marshall Dillon and Miss Kitty. Westerns were his favorite.

Known to everyone for his love of fishing and hunting, he would often cook “a mess” of fish and shrimp and was famous for his hughpuppies. He loved to cook for the fellas on construction job sites or take a crockpot full of deer or baked fish.

Rodney was called Daddy by his children, Papa by the grandbabies, Uncle Rodney by many and “Rot-ney” by his construction crews. But he was also called “son” to Jesus Christ, and now he is fulfilling that role to the fullest in the presence of God our Father.

Rodney is survived by his brother, Lonnie Morton (Gayle) and sister, Connie Morton (Floyd)

Also survived by his son, Roger Ward Morton (Lisa D.V.M); grandchildren, Melissa Morton and Kayla Wilder (Austin); great-grandchildren, Jordyn Jacobs Marshall (Bailey), Myles Morton, Kasen Wilder, and Austin Wilder, Jr.; great-great-grandchild, Hazel Rae Marshall.

As well as daughter, Ginger Morton Causey (John); grandchildren, Angel Causey, Amber Hall (Beau), Sgt Everet Causey (Elena Mae), Andrew Causey, and Danny Causey; great-grandchild, Zane Thomas Hall.

Rodney is also survived by his devoted and loyal friend, Wanda Melville and her family; step-children, Kelly Dominguez (Steve) and her 3 children and 5 grandchildren; April Cook (Jamie) and their 2 children.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider donating to Rodney’s granddaughter who is battling cancer. https://gofund.me/fd07f541b

The family will receive friends at the church prior to the service, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM.