Jessie Lynn Morton, (86), of Greenbrier, TN passed away peacefully on August 1, 2024 at Alive Hospice in Nashville. Jessie was preceded in death by his first wife, Sue Morris Morton and then also by his wife, Paula Johnson Morton. Jessie is survived by his brother Carl D. Morton, daughter Sue Lynn Morton (Robin Love), son Jimmy (Alia) Morton, grandsons Ethan Morton and Dylan (Kali) Morton, great grandson Wesley Morton and his faithful companion dog, Rambo.
Jessie was born to Jessie J. Morton and Maxie L. Ford on May 23, 1938 in Johnson City, TN where he attended Boones Creek High School. As a kid growing up his Uncle, Ted Ford, would take him to baseball games where he was able to see Mickey Mantle and Joe DiMaggio play. That started his love for playing baseball and softball throughout his life. His first jobs were working at Kay Wood Hamburger (where he enjoyed flirting with all the girls) and Morris Furniture Store.
Jessie was an avid dog lover. He remembered all of his dogs well: Jigger (Spitz), Lead (Bassett Hound), Spot (black and white dog he found on the street), Storm (Doberman), Heidi (Doberman), Jaws (Doberman), Buster (German Shepherd), Boomer (Akita), Hobo (mixed dog he found), and Rambo (lab/pit mix he rescued from a shelter).
At 18 years of age, he enlisted in the Marines. Part of the time he served, he was stationed at Fort Campbell at the Clarksville Base where he was given a “Top Secret” mission which he was never supposed to speak of. He also trained as a sharp shooter and would have been considered a sniper if he had reenlisted, but instead he fell in love with Sue and gave up the Marines.
He then started work at Midsouth Tool and Die, but soon was able to be hired at DuPont for a higher wage. He worked 36 years as a Millwright at DuPont. He was a hard worker and volunteered for jobs that nobody else wanted. Being part of Research and Development, he was once able to travel to Germany to conduct training. Jessie got great pleasure out of playing pranks and was always looking for a good laugh at someone else’s expense. He had many good stories about his DuPont days.
Jessie was able to retire early and he took up playing golf, where he met his wife Paula Johnson. Together they were able to enjoy traveling, golfing, and became very involved in bee keeping and selling honey at the Franklin Farmer’s Market. He became fondly known as “the Honey Man” around town.
Jessie never met a stranger and would take time to speak to almost everyone. He had many friends whom he enjoyed socializing with at various restaurants every day, but Colorado Grill was essentially his second home.
Should friends desire, contributions may be sent to the Greenbrier Animal Shelter where Jessie rescued Rambo.
Funeral Services will be conducted at Austin & Bell Funeral Home, 533 Hwy 76, White House, TN 37188. Visitation will be held from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm with funeral to follow. Entombment will be conducted at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, 1150 Dickerson Road, Goodletsville, TN 37072.
