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Show THE THUNDERBIRD SLICE OF LIFE the BY Whoever said the golden years of life should be spent in quiet reflection has yet to meet Morris Shirts. Sure, hes been a witness to more experiences than most college students have pairs of matched socks, but for Morris, life is for living and Morris doesnt have the time to dwell on the past... What makes Morris A. Shirts, professor emeritus at SUSC, unique is a belief hes carried with him for 67 years like a good luck charm. He believes that his courage to plunge into life and caring for his fellow man has carried him through both thick and thin. With such a positive attitude, who can deny that his life isnt just starting? Morris has served various roles in his long, eventful life: sheepherder, radio operator, innovative educator, successful father, author of local history books and one of Cedar City s few Studebaker mechanics. It was as a boy, while herding sheep in a driving rainstorm, Morris recalls, that he first learned how fickle life can be and that miracles can happen. He found himself atop a small Cedar covered knoll, thick with large trees. Seeking shelter, he backed up against the trunk of one of the largest trees while on horseback. As Morris puts it, what followed nearly became the greatest shock of his young life. Ya better move, an unseen, inner voice said twice. Not waiting for the charm of a third time, Morris raked his spurs along horseflesh. The horse snorted from both ends and charged. Just then, a lightning bolt struck the tree, sending both Morris and the horse tumbling. He wasnt hurt, but to this day he wonders- about that-- voice. Flying bombing missions over Japan and Burma as a radio operator with the Army Air Corps during World War II allowed Morris to prize life flying by the seat of his pants. bomber clashed with 27 Japanese fightei On one mission, Morris all the ammo in shooting down 26 oi planes. The gunners used Hirohitos finest. The remaining Zero riddled the bomber with a flurry of machine gun fire. Somehow, one of the gunners rustled up five rounds and shot down the offending plane, but not before the bomber was maimed and crashlanded. Once again, no injuries and another miracle. As the father of radio station KNS that s Radio North Sanpete Morris did more than broadcast music across barren southcentral Utah. He saved lives. In 1947, Morris successfully started his own AM station by patching as he said, no Federal together surplus equipment. The station needed, Communications Commission license. radio station saved And how was it Morris and his shoestring-budgin lives? Morris said it best, a lot of unsuccessful kids found careers broadcasting and electronics. educational innovator by setting By 1959, having proved himself the Morris was invited by the up education programs in the Shahs Iran, then Branch Normal School president, Royden Braithwaite, to further Morris helped ease the develop the education department. In so doing, school. to change from a 1983 was prompted by his writing career. in Morriss decision to retire bac lf A stroke one years ago served only to give Morris a it-- but his stolen has not foot, bad arm and a bad mouth, as he puts will to succeed he can still write. fans. His books on baseball still prompt letters from young, admiring His love of local history has urged him to delve into the passions and hardships of the Iron Mission, in particular. He said his books werent intended to make money but he does make believes that if he wanted to enough to keep his wife in new hats. He love. make money hed write about sex; instead, his books are a labor of offered a philosophical gem Reflecting, as older men often do, Morris won t remember me concerning his lifetimes work: People probably I for my work at SUSC, but for my Studebakers. After all, am one of the only Studebaker mechanics in the area. ar and-one-ha- G. CRANMER, DERMATOLOGIST LYNlM Dermatology SPECIALIZING IN DISEASES OF THE SKIN SKIN CANCER DERMABRASION FOR FACIAL SCARS ACNE SPIDER VEIN THERAPY 150 AUAMIRA AVE. SUITE 900 586-64- 40 Tailwind; SUSCs Leon Chidester, All 303-- c Braithwaite Center. application forms must be returned to the above mentioned office by 4:00 p.m. on November 3. 124 S. MAIN CEDAR CITY 586-390- 0 Lunch Steal! $5.00 Small deep dish SAVE Mini single item deep dish or traditional crust pizza and a medium soft drink for the unbelievable price of single item pizza two salad bars and two medium drinks for the incredible price of B-2- 9 et 1989-9- 0 secretary of the department of language and literature, in the Braithwaite Center or from Professor Shirts: Man with a mission City 5 literary magazine. Application forms may be picked up from the JAMES SPAINHOWER Cedar PAGE Applications are now being accepted for a position as editor of A COMVENTARY MONDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1989 SUSC $7.99 $1.99 Extra items nominal price Exp. Oct. 31, 1989. Good only at the Pizza Factory, 124 S. Main. Exp. Oct. 31, 1989 Pizza Factory, 124 South Main, Cedar City, Utah 586-390- 0 L. HARVEST OUR A MEW PUMPKIN FUBQE PIE o -- fc 6o With ons pound of FUBQt you CaN Cgt 50 off a puMpldN fuDqe pie. OffSR NDS Nov. 10, 1909 |