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TO ALL IN THE RACING COMMUNITY AND OKC METRO/EL RENO AREA:
El Reno's Jerry Morrison passed away on his 76th birthday last friday.
Many of you will remember his #8 pro stock (of Dale Jr. form) the final 8 seasons at State Fair Speedway.
In one of the most remarkable racing careers that spanned from 1962 to 2008, Jerry scored victories and championships in 1/4 drag racing, motocross dirt bikes, and stock cars on dirt ovals.
Jerry's racing career began in 1962 on 1/4 drag strips throughout the southern United States, winning multiple local events while scoring a runner up finish in Internationals NHRA competition at the World Finals in Pamona, California, as well as a runner up finish and fastest qualifier mark at the NHRA World Finals in Tulsa, Oklahoma in a "B" Dragster.
On September 8th, 1968, Morrison set a 1/4 mile World Record at Amarillo Dragway, establishing a 9.75 second run in his D/D dragster.
Morrison also bought and piloted the World's Fastest Pontiac from Don Gay of Dickenson, Texas, the "Infinity III". Morrison competed in a bevy of drags and competitions until taking on a new challenge in Motocross dirt bikes in 1974.
Joined by his son Mike, the father-son duo raced different divisions throughout the region. Jerry won three consecutive championships in the over 30 division. The pair scored further victories and titles at a wide range of venues, including a course at 59th and Douglas in OKC, another OKC course near the I-40 and I-35 junction, and another course they would sparingly trek to in Lake Whitney, Texas. These were just a few of the courses the father-son duo competed at.
In the late 1980's (Mike estimates 1987), father and son moved to dirt oval stock car racing and called Fort Cobb's Duttons Speedway their home track. Atop dozens of weekly wins, Jerry claimed 3 mini stock titles at Dutton's.
The father son duo entered Pro Stock competition at Oklahoma City's State Fair Speedway in 1990 with Mike as mechanic and Jerry in the driver's seat. They competed in the division for the next 18 years, scoring numerous wins and becoming an track favorite at Oklahoma's premier auto racing venue. Morrison also earned a track championship at Clinton Motorsports Park, and two mid season championships at Enid Speedway.
A severe crash at Enid nearly split Morrison's car in two pieces as he collided head on with the beginning of the wall in turn one (many enid race fans may remember). Mike estimated the crash occurred in the late 90's. The wreck mangled Morrison's Chessman chassis beyond repair and sidelined the veteran for nearly two seasons.
Father and Son purchased a new Jeff Jackson Chassis and competed with that #8 car until reitiring in 2008, just one season before State Fair Speedway was stolen from the racing community for good. As late as 2006, Morrison was vying for the Pro Stock title, scoring his final victory in July 2007 and was 2nd in points with only 4 events remaining, eventually placing fourth by seasons' end.
It is uncommon to find such a lengthy racing career (nearly 50 years), and even more unparalleled was the success that Jerry earned in three totally different types of racing (straight line 1/4 mile drag, motocross dirt course, dirt oval stock cars). Race fans can recall the beloved "Flying Dutchman" Dutch Ter Steege and his nearly 60 year career. Jerry Morrison raced for nearly 50 and in radically different forms of racing. Ever an ultimate sportsman, Jerry was also an aviator and avid sportsman, hunting and fishing with family and friends as often as he could.
Jerry was one of the most respected and liked competitors in any pit area. Greeting all with the same jovial calm on and off the track. When the Morrison Motorsports trailer was trackside, all looked forward to a round of hand shakes and even more rounds of smiles and laughs.
Jerry's proud racing legacy is proudly continued into the third generation by grand daughter Kenzie Ruston, one of the great up-and-coming talents in all of motorsports. In 2012 Kenzie scored multiple podium finishes en route to a runner up finish in the season long ARCA/CRA Super Series Championship, where she also made history as the first lady to win a Champions Racing Event at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 2013 Kenzie tackled the NASCAR K&N Pro Series, earning a 3rd place finish at Greenville Pickens Speedway, the highest ever finish for a female with the series.
Jerry Morrison's racing legacy continues in an excellent pair hands and talented right foot.
On a personal note, if not for Jerry and Mike befriending me back in 2002, I would never have been anything more than a fan of dirt track racing. The insight they provided into the sport ultimately paved a path for me as a journalist first with the Lucas Oil American Sprint Car Series, and now as Director of Public Relations for Oklahoma City's last remaining auto racing venue, I44 Riverside Speedway, as well as PR Director for the Lucas Oil POWRi West Midget Series. And much of that started with Jerry and Mike. But beyond their unbeknownst tutelage, it is an eternal honor to call them my friends. Godspeed Jerry. You will be missed by many.
A celebration of Jerry Morrison's life will be held Tuesday, February 4th at Wesley United Methodist Church in El Reno, Oklahoma at 10am. The family welcomes the many friends of Jerry, both locally and in racing, to attend and celebrate the life of a good man and racing legend. Please share the news as rapidly as possible.
Jerry is survived by two proud children, son Jerry Michael (Mike) and his wife Kathi Boehler Morrison, and daughter Melissa Ann Ruston (Sis) and her husband Darren Ruston, all of El Reno, Oklahoma.
Jerry is also survived by 4 wonderful grandchildren, Kaysi Morrison, Sheridan Hoskins, Karli Ruston, and Kenzie Ruston; as well as four siblings, Pat Bates and husband Don (Newcastle, OK), Jim Morrison and wife Janice (Mustang). Donna Gainey (OKC), and Dennis Haile and wife Shirley (Eufala).
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