James B. MORRISON 

August 3, 1922 ~ October 31, 2009 When his B-29 went down in 
flames in Japanese-occupied north China in 1945, Jim couldn't 
have imagined that an improbable rescue by Mao's guerrilla 
forces would shape the course of his life. Ten months later, 
after 101 days missing in action and an 850-mile walk to 
safety, he began a teaching career at the University of 
Washington that spanned four decades and be came his way of 
paying back hu manity for the kindness shown and sacrifices 
made for him by the Chinese. He became a memor able professor 
whom many students to this day recall as the best teacher they 
ever had. Born August 3, 1922, in Oceana, Virginia, Jim was 
the youngest of five children. He excelled in school and 
completed a degree in Mechanical Engineering at Virginia 
Polytechnic Institute before volunteering in the Army Air 
Corps. He served in the Pacific Theater as a flight engi neer, 
and his unit flew photo reconnaissance missions over Japan 
until the disastrous flight on February 2, 1945, for which he 
earned a Purple Heart. On his return he joined the Boeing 
Airplane Company, then approached the University for 
information on earning an advanced degree. At that time, the 
influx of returning veterans was so great that many 
undergraduate engineering classes were un staffed. He was 
offered a job on the spot and began teaching that night. He 
later completed his MSME, working summers at the UW Ap plied 
Physics Laboratory, where he developed a sealing device (the 
Morrison seal) that continues in use to this day. He was 
singularly honored in 2004 when his former student, Henry 
Schatz, endowed a professorship and undergraduate scholarships 
in his name. With his first wife, Shirley Blancher, he raised 
five children. In 1974 he married Virginia Hennes, adding 
three stepdaugh ters to his family. He is survived by his 
children, Linda, of Spain, Brad, Bryan, Debra (Joe Szwa ja), 
and Anne, all of Seattle; his wife, Virginia, stepdaughters 
Katherine Crothers and Robin Hennes (Tim Braun) all of Seat 
tle, and Kristin Kerth (Peter), of St. Louis; his sister, 
Virginia, of Virginia Beach, and his brother, George 
(Frances), of Huntsville, Alabama. His fourteen grandchil dren 
and six step-grandchildren will also miss him, as will eight 
great-grandchildren and much- loved Miss Kitty. The family 
would like to thank the three care givers, Kathleen, Mike, and 
Betty, who contributed so much to the quality of his final 
year, and his former students who brought their friendship and 
lively conversation to our home to the very end. We also thank 
Providence Hospice of Seattle who helped make it possible for 
Jim to remain at home. Jim will be remembered for his sense of 
humor, his inventiveness, his love of music (he played guitar, 
banjo, and harmonica), his vegetable gardens, his 
extraordinary gift for teaching and storytelling, his talent 
for photography, and his love of ani mals. He dearly enjoyed 
bird- watching (he served a term as president of the UW 
Retirees Bird- watching Group), playing golf, and watching 
football and baseball. A memorial service will be held on 
Friday, December 4, at 12 noon at the Center for Urban 
Horticul ture. Remembrances may be made to The Seattle Audubon 
Society, Providence Hospice of Seattle, or to the Department 
of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Washington. 

Published in The Seattle Times on November 8, 2009