Roger Arnold Morris

Roger Arnold Morris, age 93, Duluth, left us to be with his beloved family in heaven on July 26, 2026.

Roger was born February 5th, 1933, in Duluth, Minnesota, to Frank and Audrey Morris. Roger was a 1951 graduate of Denfeld High School and worked in the grain industry in the Board of Trade before working full time for the Minnesota Army National Guard for 11 years, being honorably discharged with the rank of Master Sergeant. He then became an agent for the State Farm Insurance Companies, retiring at the turn of the Century after nearly 37 years.

During that time, he was active in the Duluth Playhouse as an actor and in set construction, served on the Board of Directors and received the Special Achievement Encore Award in 1987. He also acted and did set work for the Shack Dinner Theater and other local theater companies. He also sang for many weddings and funerals and with the Duluth Masonic Chorus, the Downbeats chorus and the Brothers in Song.

In retirement he volunteered as a Docent Teacher for the Lake Superior Zoo for 12 years and was trained to take out educational animals for school classes, fairs, etc. (his favorites were the snakes), and he did many carpentry and maintenance projects for the zoo, having accumulated 2360 hours of service. He was voted Docent of the Year in 2005.

Roger was a very active member of the Masonic Fraternity for over 55 years. His memberships included the Lake Superior Masonic Lodge, Keystone Chapter Royal Arch Masons, Duluth Council Cryptic Masons, Duluth Commandery Knights Templar having served as presiding officer in each of those bodies. He was honored with special awards in two of those bodies which are presented to only one member in each state each year.

He was a member of the Scottish Rite Masonic bodies of Duluth and was honored with the 33rd Degree and the 2016 Albert Pike Award. He was also a member of the Allied Masonic Degrees, the York Rite College, the Red Cross of Constantine, the Masonic Rosicrucians, and others, all invitational only bodies.

Roger was a bagpiper for over thirty years with the Aad Shrine Pipes and Drums and participated in many parades as well as doing solo piping for weddings and funerals.

Other interests were attending auctions, collecting various items, woodworking, and watching old Laurel and Hardy movies with the local fan club.

Roger married Beatrice (Joan) Swanson and they had four children before her passing in 1967. He then met and married Sharon B. Anderson with whom he celebrated their 58 year anniversary in April.

He was preceded in death by his first wife Joan; his parents; two older brothers; a sister; and two sons, Gregory and Brian.

He is survived by his loving wife Sharon; a son, Jeffrey D. (Sherril) of Dunnelllon, FL; grandson, Jeffrey P. CPO US Navy; granddaughter, Audra; and a step-grandson, Chase Holthusen, two great-granddaughters; and several nieces and nephews.

A Masonic Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the Masonic Center Lodge, 4 W 2nd Street, Duluth, MN 55802.

It is requested that memorials be directed to the Minnesota Masonic Charities for the Scottish Rite Language Clinic in Duluth or the Shrine Children's Hospital in the Twin Cities. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home 218-727-3555.