Kenneth Elon Morris, Jr.
Kenneth Elon Morris, Jr.
March 26, 1939 – February 5, 2021
Kenneth Elon Morris, Jr. died Friday, February 5, 2021 at CarolinaEast Medical Center in New
Bern.
Kenneth will always be remembered as someone who “never met a stranger”. “Hot Dog”, as he
was known to so many, was a New Bern native and someone who truly loved his hometown. He
attended local schools and graduated from New Bern High School in 1957. He was an “all
conference” football player during his days at NBHS. He attended the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill, as well, where he was a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity.
In 1960, Kenneth married “the love of his life”, Linda Rice (Morris). In 1964, He attended an
insurance school at Purdue University and shortly thereafter started Kenneth Morris Insurance
(now Insurance Planning Services, Inc.) in New Bern. Kenneth was nationally recognized, on
many occasions, for his insurance sales throughout the years. He remained active in the life and
disability insurance business until retirement in 2016.
Many New Bernians will recall Kenneth’s entrepreneurial endeavors during the 1960’s and
1970’s, with a partnership group, starting businesses such as Avis Rent-A-Care and The Airport
Snack Shop (at Simmons-Knott Airport, now Coastal Carolina Regional Airport). He also was
involved with several area restaurants, such as the Metropolitan Club, the Lantern Inn, and Jolly
Chef.
Kenneth served in many community organizations, such as the New Bern-Craven County
Chamber of Commerce, the Craven Heart Association and as a member of the Craven
Community College Board of Directors. He was extremely proud of his participation as a
member of the Board of Directors at Branch Banking and Trust Company for over 30 years. His
most rewarding civic calling was serving as a Board Member and Chairman of Craven Regional
Medical Center (CarolinaEast Medical Center), where he was instrumental in establishing the
CarolinaEast Foundation (formerly the Craven Regional Medical Center Foundation).
Kenneth was also instrumental in establishing of the local Republican Party during the 1960’s.
Kenneth will be missed by his many close friends with whom he shared many breakfasts and
lunches at Kitchen on the Trent and New Bern Golf and Country Club.
Kenneth is survived by his wife of 60 years Linda Rice Morris; children Kenneth (Kenny) E.
Morris III and Linda (Kathy) Katherine Morris; grandchildren Isabel Quinn Morris, Anna
Katherine Morris and Tyler Morris; as well as his extended family, the Rice and Smith Clans;
and last but not least, his beloved dog Bernie.
The service for Kenneth will be held at Garber Methodist Church on Tuesday, February 9th at 4
o’clock, with a reception immediately following at NBG&CC.
If you wish to make a Memorial Gift, please consider the CarolinaEast Foundation.
