A native of Statesville, Mr. James William Morrison, passed away on September 9, 2017 after a long battle with cancer. He was born on July 9, 1946 and was the son of late Mr. James Lee and Mrs. Genevieve Steele Morrison. He was also preceeded in death by one sister, Stacey Elaine Morrison and a nephew, Kamara J. Morrison.

He was educated in the Iredell County School System and graduated from Unity High School, Class of 1964. Following his graduation from high school, Mr. Morrison joined the US Air Force. He served for four years, including a tour of duty in Vietnam. He was injured while in Vietnam, and received a partial disability award from the Veterans Administration. He was honorably discharged in 1968. He was a member of Freedom Presbyterian Church, USA of Statesville, N.C.

After his discharge from the Air Force, Mr. Morrison graduated from North Carolina Central University, Durham, N.C. in 1972. He then attended and graduated from Marquette University School of Law in Wisconsin in 1975. He was an active member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Mr. Morrison subsequently became a member of the Bar Association of numerous State and Federal Courts, including the US Supreme Court.

Mr. Morrison’s private practice focusing on civil rights and legal issues started in Washington, D.C. in 1982, while working with D.C. Attorney Nira Long. In 1984, he joined the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority as a trial attorney where he served for several years. For over 36 years he worked with a variety of major D.C. and Baltimore Law Firms and he made his professional mark working on some of the most important civil rights and employment law cases in the country.

In the 1990’s, Mr. Morrison represented African American FBI and ATF Special Agents in cases arguing for equal rights and opportunities in Federal employment. He achieved through successful settlements, changes in handling of hiring, assignments, evaluations and promotions for minorities in those Law Enforcement Agencies.

Mr. Morrison also was an integral part of legal teams arguing for and achieving over a billion dollars in settlements with the United States Department of Agriculture. This was based upon adverse treatment of thousands of African American farmers in obtaining loans and loan servicing during the period of 1981 thorugh 1996.

In his last years of practice, Mr. Morrison was instrumental in arguing cases involving discriminatory and adverse treatment of Native American Indians and tribes before Federal officials and Courts. In a multifaceted career, Mr. Morrison worked as President and COO of Troy E. Hudson Enterprises, Brooklyn Center, MN between 2003 – 2011. He finished an extraordinary career with his last place of employment being at Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP in Washington, D.C. where he served as counsel.

He leaves to cherish the memory of his life, one sister Virginia Lee Morrison of Statesville, N.C., one brother, Jerry Lynn Morrison of Statesville, N.C., a cousin who was raised in the home, Carla Vines of Greensboro, N.C.; one uncle, Billy Steele of Harmony, N.C., one nephew, Eric (LaToya) Daniels of Statesville, N.C., two nieces, Aisha N. Morrison and Toni S. Bailey both of Statesville, N.C., a special friend, Glenette Alston of Brentwood, CA and a host of great nephews, great nieces , cousins, other relatives and friends.

Celebration of Life Services will be conducted Sunday, October 8, 2017, at 3:00 p.m. at the Statesville Civic Center. Pastor James Harley will officiate and Rev. Ardeal Roseboro will eulogize. Military Rites will be performed at the National Cemetery in Salisbury at a later date.

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