Bobby Kee Morris

Bobby Kee Morris was born on May 25, 1933, in Indian Wells, AZ to Charlie and Alice Morris.  His clans are Kin lichii’nii (Red House Clan) born for Tse`nji`kini` (Cliff Dweller Clan). 

He had three brothers, Joe, Sam, and Johnnie, and one sister, Zena.  He was sent to a boarding school and left when he was in 3^rd grade.  He returned to Indian Wells and helped his parents work on the family ranch.  In 1960, he married Colletta Joe and moved to Holbrook.  It was during this year, he began working for the Petrified Forest National Monument.  In 1962, the Petrified Forest transitioned to a National Park.  He was hired as one of the first full-time employees doing maintenance work. His brother, Johnnie, later on also took a job for the Park.

 He had 5 children with Colletta: Melvin (Carol), Angela (Pete), Angelica (Joel), Angelisa, and Bobby Jr.  Bobby and Colletta split ways and he moved to the Petrified Forest.  He met Jeannie Milford in 1986. Together they had three children, Bobbie Jean (Juan), Shelby, and Shelly (Grantley).  In 2004,  Bobby and his brother Johnnie, had a street named after them in Holbrook, near the PFNP housing  to honor their years of service.

Bobby continued working for the Petrified Forest until 2014.  Both him and his brother Johnnie retired together, having over 100 years of combined employment with the National Park.  He loved visiting with the tourists.  He would have paint on his uniform and they would ask what his job was.  He jokingly replied “I am the one who painted the desert”.  Bobby always had a brilliant smile on his face.  He continued to live in the place he loved to be.  Bobby passed peacefully in his sleep on July 21, 2022.

A celebration of life will be held on Monday, August 1^st at Owens Livingston Mortuary in Holbrook, AZ from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.  Graveside services will follow at the family ranch in Indian Wells, AZ.  Everyone is cordially invited to join and share your fond memories of Bobby.