On January 18, 2013, Coach Morris Southall passed away after several days of illness at Shannon Memorial Hospital in San Angelo. A member of First Baptist Church of San Angelo, visitation will be held Sunday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. at Davis Morris Funeral Home, 800 Center Avenue, Brownwood, TX . A private burial will take place with services to follow Monday at 1:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Brownwood, TX.
Born august 23, 1921 in O’Brien, Texas, Coach Southall graduated from Vernon High School, later volunteering for World War II to serve in the Air Force.
Completing his Bachelors and Masters degrees at Hardin Simmons University, Southall began high school coaching at Seminole High School in 1947 when he joined forces with Gordon Wood in a career that spanned almost 40 years. After coaching at both Winters and Victoria High Schools, he moved to Brownwood in 1960 where he was instrumental in developing one of the most successful programs in high school football with a total of seven state championships spanning 21 years. He was honored to be the only assistant coach ever selected to coach the Texas High School All Stars and to preside as President of the Texas High School Coaches Association. After retiring in 1985, he was honored by numerous groups and organizations for his outstanding accomplishments. Among these honors are: Texas High School Hall of Fame in Waco, Texas Coaches Hall of Fame, Big Country Hall of Fame, Hardin Simmons Hall of Fame, Angelo State University Legacy Award, and the Gordon Wood Hall of Champions. His real legacy is apparent in the lives he influenced and the great respect he earned not only from players but also from colleagues in the coaching profession.
Southall is preceded in death by his parents Mr. and Mrs. S. H. (Pete) Southall; his infant daughter, Sherry; his twin brother, Berle, and sister, Nona Bunch.
Survivors include his wife, Lorene, of 69 years as well as three children, Terry and wife Sharon Southall of Austin, Si Southall of San Angelo, and Shae and wife Terri of Odessa. He is also survived by his brother, Don and wife Iona, of Potosi as well as 9 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make donations to your favorite charity.