Edmund Chapin Morrisey Jr.

Colonel Edmund C Morrisey, age 94, passed away quietly Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at his home in Maryville, Tennessee. Born June 21, 1929 in New Haven, Connecticut, Ed Morrisey graduated from Trinity College of Hartford, Connecticut with a BA in history and education in 1952. That same year, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, in the Reserves of the US Air Force. He was placed on active duty from 1952 to 1954 as a weapons controller. Returning from Germany in 1954, he joined the 103rd Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron of the Connecticut Air National Guard as operations officer. Over the next 14 years, he held important positions in the Air National Guard of Connecticut, Colorado and Texas. Including in 1957 becoming the executive officer of the 147th Fighter Group of the Texas Air National Guard. In addition to his regular duties, he was the Chief, Air National Guard Environment Team, for the US Air Force Worldwide Weapons Meet (William Tell) in 1959, 1961, claiming victory in 1963 despite being the underdogs with an all, Air National Guard team, participating again in 1965. Colonel Morrisey is a graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, the Air Command and Staff College, the Defense Strategy Seminar, and Academic Instructors School. In 1968 Colonel Morrisey became the first commander of the IG Brown Air National Guard Training and Education Center, at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base in Alcoa, Tennessee. As part of the US Air Force, this center contributes to the training of around 4000 Air Force personnel every year. Colonel Morrisey remained its Commander until his retirement in 1983 and continued to support the center for decades thereafter. The Colonel was a driving force in the development of the Air National Guard Leadership School and Academy of Military Science, always contributing his success to the outstanding people surrounding him. On March 20, 1990 Colonel Morrisey became the only field grade officer in the Air National Guard awarded the Order of the Sword. This award is the highest honor the enlisted force can bestow upon a commissioned officer for providing significant support and contribution toward the development and welfare of the Airmen they serve. The sword symbolizes truth, justice and righteous power, and it served as the visual token that indicated the individual was a “leader among leaders.” Colonel Morrisey was further honored by the christening of Morrisey Hall in 2001 at McGee Tyson Air National Guard Base. Colonel Morrissey was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Air National Guard NCOAGA in 2015. Other awards and decorations include Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with two oak leaf clusters, Combat Readiness Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with six devices, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon. After retirement the Colonel enjoyed traveling, playing golf and pulling for the Tennessee VOLS. For many years Colonel Morrisey made weekly trips to provide fresh fruit to the Boys and Girls Club of Blount County. Ed is survived by his wife of 41 years, Pauline Kimsey Morrisey; his son, John Morrisey; his stepdaughter, Cindy Caldwell Reynolds and husband, Dr. James Reynolds; grandson, Jordan Morrisey and wife, Anastasia Morrisey; great granddaughters, Amya and Ava; grandson, Zachary Morrisey; and great grandson, Jaxson; step-grandson, Lucas Caldwell; step-granddaughter, Eve Caldwell Costner and husband, Morgan Costner; and great-grandson, Kirby; and much more to so many others. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Boys & Girls Club of Blount County, 819 Gilbert St., Alcoa, TN 37701, 865-232-1240. A Celebration of Life for Colonel Morrisey will be held from 4:00 until 7:00 PM Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at Smith East Hall. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com. 

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