Kenneth James Morrison

Our beloved father, Rev. Kenneth James Morrison, surrounded by his loving family, entered his heavenly home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on February 16, 2026, Ken was born on February 26, 1942, at his family home in Versailles Boro, McKeesport, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Norwin High School in 1960 with a full scholarship to play football at Wake Forest University. After a near-fatal sports injury, he transferred to Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy, Massachusetts. There he played basketball and baseball while studying theology. A year later, he met the love of his life, Carol (Tupper) Morrison; they married on June 20, 1964, beginning a 58-year union.

Ken earned his Master of Divinity from Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1968. For 46 years, he served faithfully as a pastor in the Church of the Nazarene, leading and mentoring congregations across seven states: Oregon, Washington, Idaho, California, Illinois, Oklahoma, and New Jersey. Known for his attention to detail, passion for building, and vision for vibrant, Christ-centered churches, Ken used his gifts to guide numerous congregations and projects.

In 1976, he moved his family to Nampa, Idaho, to serve as Senior Pastor at Karcher Church of the Nazarene. Those 10 years left a lasting imprint; he always considered Idaho home and hoped to retire there. Before Nampa, he pastored in Eugene and Corvallis, Oregon, and Oak Harbor, Washington. After Idaho, his ministry continued in Whittier, California; Mundelein, Illinois; Stillwater, Oklahoma; and finally Denville, New Jersey, where he served New Hope Community Church for 21 years until retirement. In retirement, Ken and Carol attended Tree City Church in Boise, Idaho, remaining active in ministry, small group life, and their cherished church family.

As a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Ken prioritized time with his wife, children and grandchildren. He faithfully supported his kids/grandkids activities—sports, recitals, plays, performances—and family vacations, while offering counsel and wisdom to all of them. A lifelong athlete, he stayed active through church-league softball, basketball, and volleyball in his early years. His favorite pastimes were fishing and golf, which he enjoyed until physical limitations prevented it. Above all, Ken was a bold witness for Jesus Christ, seizing every opportunity to share the gospel and the joy of a personal relationship with God.

He is survived by his children: son Todd (Cindi) Morrison of Whittier, California, and daughter Tammy (Pat) McCann of Lindenhurst, Illinois; siblings Audrey (Don) Cipul, Beverly (Jim) Haney, Rev. Robert (Annie) Morrison, Larry (Linda) Morrison, and Sheryl (Steve) Arden; grandchildren Joel Barrett, Kayla McCann, Logan McCann, Ryan McCann, Eric Morrison, Hunter Morrison, and Makena Morrison; three great-grandchildren; and many dear relatives, friends, and his beloved church family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Percy and Betty Morrison, and his wife, Carol Morrison.

A Celebration of Life for Pastor Ken will be held at 10:30am, Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Tree City Church in Boise, Idaho.