At 102, Kent man not slowing down
"Daily he does help us," says recreation director Laurel Youngstrom. "Putting the walkers on and off the bus, and getting the people in the wheelchairs on the bus."
In addition, he's a dancer, and a dance teacher.
"He's an amazing man," one of residents tells KOMO News. "He exercises, he runs the stairway and you can't hardly believe it."
"Well, I got him fooled," Morris responds.
Oh yeah, did I mention he's a resident of the facility? And that today Morris turns 102?
He's a distinguished centenarian indeed.
"I've stayed out of trouble so far," Morris says, and then adds with a smile, "I feel I'm getting away with something."
A little simple math and it's easy to deduce Morris was born in 1907. He was born and raised in a small Kansas town, and moved to Seattle looking for work in 1928. His first job was with the Fisher Flour Mill on Harbor Island.
Through his professional life he did a little carpentry, electrical work, he flipped old houses, sold mortgages, owned a retreat, and was a real estate agent. When asked when he retired, he said he never did.
Besides dancing, what's his secret to a long, happy life?
"I attribute it mostly to not dwelling on negative thoughts," Morris says. "But entirely on things that were positive and ever appealing."
He then admitted that was a pretty general answer, and proceeded to go a little deeper into his personal philosophy.
"I had a sense of contentment in my make-up, but I was never satisfied."
At 102, Morris plans on continuing to reach out to others every day -- sometimes armed only with his infectious smile.
"I haven't much of an idea how much longer I'll be here," Morris says. "That is beyond my control, but I take it a day at a time, and try to enjoy it in any way that comes naturally."
Happy Birthday, Mr. Morris.