John B. Morse

John B. Morse

February 12, 1934 – January 2, 2023

Preceded in death by wife, Anita Morse; parents, Benjamin and Helen Morse; brother, Robert Morse; sister, Virginia Cordes.

Survived by daughter, Cari Person (Ed); son, John Morse (Kit); son, Scott Morse; 7 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

VISITATION: Thursday, January 5th, 5-7pm, West Center Chapel. SERVICE: Friday, January 6th, 10:30am, West Center Chapel.

Interment: Forest Lawn.

Memorials will be directed by the family.


A letter from Jack Payne

With 50 years of teaching and coaching experience to his credit, from 1958 to his retirement in 2008, John Morse packed a lot of living, giving, and concern for his fellowman onto his 5 foot 8 inches, 140-pound frame. He began baseball with the Murphy’s Midgets under Coach Duce Belford in 1950. He taught at Omaha Tech High School from 1958-1984 until its closing and then at Benson High School from 1984 until he retired in 1993 to end a 35-year public school career. Himself a Benson High School King Of Sports, as a guard on Coach Scotty Orcutt’s basketball teams, Morse won Intercity honors and was 2nd team Intercity Baseball for Coach Orcutt as a Catcher. He caught 4 years for Coach Virg Yelkin at Omaha University and played 4 seasons for OU basketball teams, 2 under Yelkin and 2 under Coach Jack Cotton. 

In his career, John won 15 letters in the two sports, 7 at Benson and 8 as a student-athlete at Omaha University. He had the honor of catching Jackie Brandt for the Benson High School Running Rabbits and then caught Bob Gibson for the Woodbine, Iowa Whiz Kids in the 1954 semi-pro ball. A member of both Benson and Tech High School Halls of Fame, John coached an unbeaten Freshman team for Tech in 1963 and added a 1966 state title in baseball for the Trojans. He still works as an official at the Nebraska State High School track meet for 38 years now. 

Holding BS and MS education degrees, John was a noted exponent of History, Human Relations, and multicultural programs as a teacher and author. He taught history and ethnic studies exposing students to Black history, American Indian history, Chicano-American history, and Asian American history. He was a member of the Nebraska Advisory Committee, which helped schools to include multicultural education in their classrooms. 

John wrote the Teachers Manual for integrating Black History into American History Textbooks for the Omaha Public Schools. He also taught Human Relations in 1992 and 1993 at UNO and Metropolitan Community College for classes in Minority Group Human Relations. As a recipient of many special awards and honors in his field, including being the OEA Human Relations Teacher of the Year; the Benson Booster Club’s Teacher of the Year; recipient of the state Cooper Foundation Award for excellence in teaching; and of the Peter Kiewit Foundation’s $5,000 Teacher Achievement Award plus many other notable citations. For 11 years, he sponsored the Miss Black Tech pageant here in Omaha and was a Miss Nebraska pageant Ambassador. Over his career, John points with pride to his having had the opportunity to work as a teacher or coach with outstanding students who have each made great contributions to our sports, education, or civic lives. 

A portion of the list includes:

Johnny Rodgers, John Clark, Vernon Slaughter, Ron Boone, Preston Love, bob Griego, Phil wise, Walt Jernigan, Steve Takechi, Larry station, Kathy Tyree, Walt Henderson, Roy Lee, Anita McCaugh, Francine Ashby, Thomas Warren, Ron Bartee, John Lovelace, Roger Sindelar, Jerry Mosser, Franklin Thompson, Kathy Trotter, Mike Green, Mildred Tucker, and Martha Okeson-just to name a few.

Welcome, John Morse, to the Omaha Baseball Oldtimer’s Sports Hall Of Fame.

Stacey’s list

We said goodbye to my Papa John today. He was on hospice since last week and passed surrounded by family at his home. He was my last living grandparent.

My grandpa was an educator for 36 years with OPS. He taught at Tech High School until it closed in 1984 and then finished his career at Benson High School. After retirement, he taught part-time at Metropolitan Community College for a few years. He taught American History and was one of the first Ethnic Studies teachers in Omaha. He wrote many textbooks on Black American History and Native American History, which was very progressive during his time. He was very proud of his accomplishments as an educator and coach. He made a huge impact on his students over the years, as well as in the Omaha community. He always beamed with pride when speaking of his former students and his love for teaching.

He also loved to talk about Sports just as much as his love for teaching. He was the “Sports King” in high school (no surprise!) and loved to tell everyone all about it!  He continued his love for sports by coaching during his teaching career. He was passionate about Husker Football, Celtics Basketball, and Yankees baseball. I always admired his dedication to his students and how charitable he was to them. Former students have even considered him a father figure, and they speak very highly of him.

Although we are heartbroken to lose him, I am happy he can be reunited with my Grandma Anita. I know he missed her dearly (as we all have) since she’s been gone. I will be sad to see your spot at Sunday dinner empty, but I know you’ll be there in spirit, raving about how good the food is and raiding the candy dish.  I will miss your thoughtful conversations and inquisitive questions about what is going on with everyone.  I hope you have endless Root Beer to drink, and your sports teams are always winning up in heaven. Love you, Papa John… Rest in Peace!

32 Comments

  • Aron Gallion Posted January 3, 2023 5:18 pm

    Sending prayers and condolences🙏🙏

  • David bassdavid Posted January 3, 2023 6:21 pm

    Prayers 🙏 to the family

  • Lori Hawes Posted January 3, 2023 6:33 pm

    I’m so sad to hear of Mr. Morse’s passing. He was a wonderful coach, man & friend. My prayers go out to his family and friends. He will be greatly missed💔

  • Chris Wilcox Posted January 3, 2023 8:15 pm

    I send my prayers to the Morse family. John was a terrific person and loved Tech High School so much. I am honored to have known John.

    Chris Wilcox
    Tech High 1983

  • Rickey j knight Posted January 3, 2023 9:42 pm

    I’m sorry to hear of his passing he was a very nice teacher

  • Maxine Hardeman 1444 So.Champion Ave Columbus,Ohio 43206 Posted January 4, 2023 12:38 am

    Mr.Morse Was A Wonderful Man A Great Teacher The Best Rest In Peace Sir.

  • Paulette Freeman Posted January 4, 2023 1:05 am

    Goodbye my friend! Thanks for sharing your life with me and SO Many while you were here!!
    Thanks to John’s family for sharing him as well. It’s my hope you’re able to find peace and joy when you hear and feel the as so many express the many ways he touched lives!

  • Kip and Carol Hepfinger Posted January 4, 2023 10:42 am

    Prayer 🙏 for the Morse family.

  • John and Kimberly Roode Posted January 4, 2023 1:23 pm

    I’ve had the privilege of knowing John B. Morse for several years. I loved speaking to him about his life over the years. He was a very informative man in sports and his educational accomplishments. My prayers for peace and grace to all the people he has touched in life. I will miss our conversations John. God’s got you in his hands for all the good you have done on earth.🙏

  • Donna L Hughes Posted January 4, 2023 1:31 pm

    To the greatest History Teacher I ever had. To the family he was a joy to have as a teacher. I would not know history if it was not for him. God Bless you all

  • Kim Shelby-Black Posted January 4, 2023 5:41 pm

    Sending prayers and hugs to the Morse family. The best teacher and mentor! You did so much for your students and our community

  • Nancy Bartlett Worm, Benson Class of “53 Posted January 4, 2023 5:48 pm

    Our condolences to the family. He was a fun classmate, good teacher!

  • Valerie Posted January 4, 2023 9:01 pm

    Mr. Morse was a special guy! He was always VERY supportive of Benson High students.

  • Alberta (Klabunde) Greene Posted January 5, 2023 12:01 pm

    I had the pleasure of having Mr.Morse as my teacher all three years at Tech High. I enjoyed his knowledge of different cultures and his kindness towards everyone. When I look through my yearbook I always think of the things we talked about I remember him saying to a new student “Alberta has been a student of mine for 3 years, I don’t get many like her to come back “. He will be missed. Class of “83”

  • Toni Turnquist (Tech High class of 1960) Posted January 5, 2023 1:55 pm

    In deepest sympathy.
    John Morse was a wonderful teacher, an outstanding coach, and a truly fine gentleman.

  • Leonard w. Hardnett,Jr Posted January 5, 2023 11:11 pm

    Our condolences to you and family.Mr. Morse was a teacher of my at Tech High and my daughter at Benson. 🙏🏾🤎

  • Alfred schories Posted January 6, 2023 7:33 am

    Was a good friend and helped a lot of people

  • Annie Vaughn-Teague Posted January 6, 2023 2:55 pm

    To the family of Mr. Morse,, you have my condolences along with my 6 siblings who are also Tech High graduates. Mr. Morse was more than a great teacher he became a friend and was always present during my years at Tech and after. He will be missed. Now he can walk amongst the ones he taught us about.

  • Jacquelyn Wilder Posted January 6, 2023 7:38 pm

    Heaven has gained yet another angel. Mr. Morris was my cultural studies teacher at Technical High, I graduated in 1980, and also worked with Mr. Morris in the Technical High pageant. He gave me confidence and instilled the value of human kindness. I’ve shared stories of my time as a student with Mr. Morse to my grandchildren. His nurturing encouragement was that of a father to me and every student that came into contact with him. I offer my sincere condolences to the family,and thank you for sharing him with me and so many others. His legacy, and kindness lives on, God bless you all. See you later Mr. Morse, God rest your soul. Your forever grateful student, Jacquelyn Wilder

  • Jacquelyn Wilder Posted January 6, 2023 7:42 pm

    Heaven has gained yet another angel. Mr. Morse was my cultural studies teacher at Technical High, I graduated in 1980, and also worked with Mr. Morse in the Technical High pageant. He gave me confidence and instilled the value of human kindness. I’ve shared stories of my time as a student with Mr. Morse to my grandchildren. His nurturing encouragement was that of a father to me and every student that came into contact with him. I offer my sincere condolences to the family,and thank you for sharing him with me and so many others. His legacy, and kindness lives on, God bless you all. See you later Mr. Morse, God rest your soul. Your forever grateful student, Jacquelyn Wilder

  • Don McMahill, Jr. Posted January 6, 2023 8:56 pm

    I had the distinct honor of rubbing shoulders with John on many different occasions. I had graduated from Tech before John arrived to teach along side my father in the Social Studies Department. Dad spoke highly of “young Johnny” and only wished that I had a similar experience. Tech, Omaha U., YMCA was my route, so even though our paths went in slightly different directions, I loved hearing about Coach Morse and his influence with Omaha Youth. In our later years, I had the privilege of communicating with John via email and Facebook. We kept each other up-to-date on current happenings and local developments. John was a shinning star in a world full of those who had opposite intentions. Thank God for Coach John Morse.

  • Dave Monroe Posted January 6, 2023 9:30 pm

    John, my deepest sympathies to you and your entire family on your loss. Hoping you find peace and comfort knowing he’s at rest and with your Mom again. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this sad time. Your friend Dave Monroe

  • Dave Monroe Posted January 6, 2023 9:33 pm

    John, my deepest sympathies to you and your entire family on your loss. Hoping you find peace and comfort knowing he’s at rest and with your Mom again. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. Your friend Dave Monroe

  • Dave Monroe Posted January 6, 2023 9:36 pm

    John, my deepest sympathies to you and your entire family on your loss. Hoping you find peace and comfort knowing he’s at rest and with your Mom again. You are in my thoughts and prayers at this sad time. Your friend Dave Monroe

  • Dave Monroe Posted January 6, 2023 9:37 pm

    John, my deepest sympathies to you and your entire family on your loss. Hoping you find peace and comfort knowing he’s at rest and with your Mom again. You are in my thoughts and prayers at this sad time. Your friend, Dave Monroe

  • Dave Monroe Posted January 6, 2023 9:38 pm

    John, my deepest sympathies to you and your entire family on your loss. Hoping you find peace and comfort knowing he’s at rest and with your Mom again. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Your friend, Dave Monroe

  • Dave Monroe Posted January 6, 2023 9:43 pm

    John, my deepest sympathies to you and your entire family on your loss. Hoping you find peace and comfort knowing he’s at rest and with your Mom again. You

    John, my deepest sympathies to you and your entire family. He’s at rest and with your Mom again. Your friend, Dave Monroe

  • Dave Monroe Posted January 6, 2023 11:12 pm

    My deepest sympathies to you and your family. He’s at rest and with your Mom again. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Your friend, Dave

  • Dave Monroe Posted January 6, 2023 11:12 pm

    My deepest sympathies to you and your family. He’s at rest and with your Mom again. Your friend, Dave

  • Dave Monroe Posted January 6, 2023 11:14 pm

    My deepest sympathies to you and your family. He’s at rest and with your Mom again.

  • Dave Monroe Posted January 6, 2023 11:15 pm

    My deepest sympathies to you and your family. He’s with your Mom again.

  • Dave Monroe Posted January 6, 2023 11:20 pm

    My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.

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