Joseph “Skip” Ellis Morrow
January 8, 1952 - June 4, 2025
Joseph “Skip” Ellis Morrow, 73, was born on January 8,1952 in Virginia. He passed away peacefully on June 4, 2025. He is preceded in death by his parents Joseph Ellis and Lois Rae Urias and adopted Father Jack Morrow. He is survived by his siblings Jeff Morrow of Phoenix, AZ; David Morrow of Las Vegas, NV; Susan Creenan of Tucson AZ, 2 nephews and 1 niece.
As a military family, during Skip’s early educational years, the family moved often throughout the south and Europe. He spent his high school years in Tucson, AZ and graduated from Sahura High School in 1970. Skip was academic minded and focused his passion on a love for drama, theater and history. Skip received a full scholarship to Brigham Young University where he played an active role in the BYU theater department acting and directing several theater performances. Skip graduated with a BA in Drama and Theater in 1974 after which he joined the Army in 1977. During this time, he completed the program as a surgical operating room technician which became his career and role in the Army. Shortly after completing the program, he was stationed in Savannah, GA, followed by moving to Nuremberg Germany. This made a significant impact on Skip’s love to travel the world and absorb the culture. Skip fell in love with Bavaria and made numerous visits throughout his lifetime. After his tour in Germany, Skip was stationed in Fort Leavenworth Kansas. He played an active role in directing for the River City Community Players in Leavenworth Kansas. He was accomplished in set and stage design, lighting and directing.
After fulfilling his career in the Army, Skip remained in Leavenworth and worked in the Jewelry business. He moved to Utah in 1997 where he became involved and was active in the St. Francis Catholic Church Life-teen program. Skip was instrumental in introducing this program to the Diocese of Salt Lake City and played a significant role in the lives of our catholic teens.
Many will remember Skip for his compassion to others, his personable and friendly demeanor and his love for his golden retrievers. Skip loved all things German. Skip reflected on his life in Germany and many experiences he shared with everyone he met. He will be truly missed by many.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the Cathedral of the Madeleine at 11:30 am on Thursday June,12,2025 followed by burial at the Utah Veterans Memorial Park located at 17111 South Camp Williams Road, Bluffdale Utah.
Memorial contributions may be made to Utah Golden Retriever Rescue.
In Loving Memory
Dear Morrow Family, I am heartbroken for all of us that Skip is gone. Please accept my deepest condolences during this incredibly difficult time. Skip was truly one of a kind—a remarkable man whose friendship enriched my life in countless ways. From his days as a decorated speech and debate student at Sahuaro High School to his lifelong passion for theater, history, and storytelling, Skip had an extraordinary gift for bringing knowledge and experiences to life through his incredible narratives. What made Skip so special was not just his vast knowledge of history, art, politics, and architecture, but his unparalleled ability to weave these subjects into captivating stories that could transport you to another time and place. He was the consummate storyteller, with an unbelievable memory for detail and a talent for making every conversation feel like a fascinating journey. I am deeply moved by the rare and beautiful friendships Skip maintained throughout his life—particularly his 50-year connection and friendship with his beloved speech teacher and his fellow students from Sahuaro. This speaks volumes about the kind of person he was: loyal, thoughtful, and genuinely caring about the people who mattered to him. Skip’s kindness, generosity, and fierce loyalty as a friend will never be forgotten. Whether he was sharing tales of his travels through Bavaria, his theatrical adventures, or his experiences in the Army, he had a way of making everyone around him feel valued and engaged. His compassion for others and his warm, personable demeanor touched so many lives. I am profoundly grateful for the gift of Skip’s friendship. While my heart breaks knowing I’ll never again have the opportunity to spend time with him and hear his amazing stories, I will treasure the memories we shared and carry his spirit with me always. Skip’s legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched, the stories he shared, and the love he gave so freely. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered. With love and sympathy…. 💜Always Jorjii
Jorjanne Arnold Gausman
Bowie, MD