James Scott "Jim" Morrison, age 88, formerly of St. Louis, MO and a Hendersonville, NC resident for over 25 years passed away Saturday, December 1, 2018. After growing up in the San Francisco Bay area and serving ten years as a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force, he eventually settled in Hendersonville and devoted his life to becoming a renowned watercolor artist of the Western Carolinas.
Originally born in Fresno, CA, Jim graduated from the University of Nevada in 1951 with a degree in Economics. He immediately entered the U.S. Air Force and trained to become a fighter pilot, eventually rising to the rank of Captain. In 1961, he left the Air Force to pursue a career in the aerodynamics industry as a senior engineer and marketing representative for McDonnell Douglas and Boeing. During this period, he was stationed in countries as far flung as Spain, Australia and Singapore. It was during this time in his life that Jim began developing his talent as a watercolor artist.
After retirement from McDonnell Douglas/Boeing in 1989, he settled in Hendersonville with his beloved wife Susan Parker Morrison. He often acknowledged Susan's support of his pursuit of his hobby and his love of art. At this point in his career, his reputation as an artist earned him awards from the American Society of Aviation Artists, multiple awards in Splash, an annual competition of the nation's best watercolor paintings and selection as a Signature Member of the National Watercolor Society. As recently as 2016, he hosted a large one-man exhibit at The North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville.
He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Susan; daughter, Dana (Morrison) Smith; son, Neal S. Morrison; stepdaughter, Caroline Gedney and many granddaughters and great-grandchildren too numerous to mention.
The family would like to express our thanks for the wonderful help and care provided by Dr. Eric Byrd of Carolina Mountain Internal Medicine. A memorial will be planned at a later date. If desired, in lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions in Jim's name to The North Carolina Arboretum, 100 Fredrick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, NC 28806.
I'm sorry to have lost a long time friend, artist and teacher. Jim was so willing to share his talent and love of watercolors. My condolences to his family, know he will be missed by all who knew him.
Jim gave so freely of his time to Mentor so many of us watercolourist and he certainly made a difference in my life as an artist. I loved his classes, his humor and his talent. He gave so much of his time to Aid the military in his art as well. He was one of the first to be called to Katrina hurricane tragedy to photograph draw and paint what he saw as the military was in rescue mode. Such an extraordinary man and he will be missed!
At around age 75 I enrolled in Jim's watercolor art class. He was an outstanding teacher and story teller. I will forever treasure the experience of knowing Jim as both teacher and friend.