NORTH VERNON
James Ray Morin went to heaven on the morning of Wednesday, April 14, 2021 from his farmhouse in Jennings County, Indiana. He was 95 years old. He was born in Lovett Township on his father’s farm arriving on March 21, 1926. He was a Veteran of World War II and received a Purple Heart for wounds during the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, he worked and became foreman of the Crosley Farms operations in Jennings County. Then he worked and retired from Cummins Diesel Engine Company. He returned to farming in which he is best known to many as “The Green Santa” because he sold his homegrown Christmas Trees for over 40 years on his farm. People would come from over 100 miles to buy his Christmas trees. Many of his customers were adults and grandparents who were children when their parents bought his trees. He never knew a stranger. He loved talking to people. He treated everyone like family. He helped many stranded strangers that had car trouble on US Hwy 50, plowed gardens, put up hay, helped build buildings, and always could be counted on to help his fellow man. Someone asked, “Why he lived so long?” His answer was, “If I keep moving, I will keep living.” Heaven is lucky to have him. If there is a job in heaven needing done, he will be the first to raise his hand.
He is survived by his sister, June. He follows his sisters: Joy, Jean, and his two brothers: Wayne (Earl) and Ronald (Roe) in death. He is the son of James A. Morin and Leona Mousa Morin. He was married to Emma Gene Matthews Morin for over 50 years until she passed away. They had seven children: Jim Morin and his wife Marilyn Gillespie Morin of Greensburg, Indiana, Edwin Morin and his wife Brenda Morin of Shelbyville, Indiana, Joe Morin and his wife Louise Huneke Morin of Knoxville, Tennessee, Robert Morin of North Vernon, Indiana, Richard Morin and his wife Kathy Davis Morin of North Vernon, Indiana, one daughter, Nancy Morin Horton and her husband William Horton of Hope, Indiana, and William Morin and spouse Michael Hollandbeck of North Vernon, Indiana. He later married Betty Pittman Morin until her passing. Ray had 10 Grandchildren and 11 Great-Grandchildren.
Viewing will be held at Dove-Sharp & Rudicel Funeral Home in North Vernon, Indiana from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on April 21, 2021.
Funeral Services will be held at the Tea Creek Baptist Church on April 22, 2021 at 1 p.m. with viewing from 11:00 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Memorial donations may be made in his honor to the Tea Creek Cemetery Fund.