SMSgt Keith B. Morrison, USAF (Retired)

First Sergeant (SMSgt) Keith B. Morrison (Ret.)

First Sergeant (SMSgt/E-8) Keith B. Morrison (Ret.), age 61, went to be with his Lord and Savior on 26 August 2024 at 0624 with his beloved wife of 23 years, Teresa Morrison by his side. Taken way to early in life after a 2-year battle with esophageal, stomach and liver cancer.

Keith graduated from Clearview Regional High School, Sewell, NJ in June 1981. In September of that same year, Keith entered the United States Air Force. After graduating Basic Training at Lackland AFB, TX, he attended Nuclear Weapons School at Lowery AFB, CO (now closed). He was then stationed at Plattsburgh AFB, NY (now closed). After 6 years he decided to change jobs and moved to Kessler AFB, MS to become a wide band radio technician. He was then off to his first overseas assignment which was a Radio Relay Station on a mountain top at Elmadag, Turkey (now closed - I'm seeing a pattern here). After 2 1/2 years he requested to stay in Turkey, but to move to the main support base in Ankara, Turkey. While there he deployed to Desert Shield/Storm and Provide Comfort I and II. Then it was off to McGuire AFB, NJ, then Misawa, Japan and back to McGuire AFB, NJ. After being promoted to Master Sergeant (E-7) he applied for and was accepted to attend the USAF First Sergeant Academy at Gunter Air Station, AL and returned to McGuire AFB, NJ. During his next 4 and 1/2 years, he was the First Sergeant in 6 different squadrons (305th Communications Sq, 305th Transportation Sq, 305th Civil Engineer Sq, 621st Air Mobility Communications Sq, and 732nd Communications Sq in Balad Air Base in Iraq) Upon returning from Iraq, Keith was moved to Kirtland AFB, NM as the First Sergeant of the 377th Medical Group (4 Sqs) and the 377th Security Forces Sq. Keith was medically retired in Jan 2010 and remained in NM.

During his time in the USAF, Keith earned four college degrees in Weapons Systems, Communication, Human Resources, and Education & Training. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (by the US Army) as a combat wounded Iraqi War Veteran. Throughout his career he was awarded many distinguished medals.

Keith loved watching NASCAR while eating chicken wings and following the Oakland Raiders. He traveled the US coast to coast riding his Honda Gold Wings compiling 120,000 miles. He volunteered as the Regional Director in the Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA) and later the Regional Director in the Eagle Wings Rider Association (EWMA) both covering AZ, CA, CO, HI, NM, NV, and UT.

He is survived by his wife Teresa Morrison, stepmother Margaret Morrison, his sons Matthew (USMC), Kevin, Keith Jr - aka Boo, Blake Orsak, and his daughters Elizabeth Adams (Jake) and Mary. Also survived by his sisters Linda Sidenstick (Pete), Debbie Friebel (Bill), Penny Kiernan, and Kim Conover (Wayne), and many nieces and nephews and grandkids.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jerry Morrison and Mary Murphy (Bright), his brothers Kevin Venable and Jerry Morrison (USAF, Ret), and his sister Marybeth (Nina) Bechtold.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Homes for our Troops https://www.hfotusa.org/

A visitation for Keith will start at 9:00 am followed by a funeral service at 10:00 am at FRENCH - Westside Chapel on Wednesday, September 4, 2024. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.