David (D.C.) Chisholm Morse, Jr. died peacefully on Thursday, January 25, 2024, at the age of 82.
D.C. was born in Bellingham on October 7, 1941 to Joyce (Pfueller) and David Chisholm Morse. He attended Campus School and graduated from Bellingham High School in 1959. He went on to Dartmouth College and Western Michigan University, graduating in 1964. D.C. earned an MBA at the University of Washington in 1966.
For the bulk of his career, D.C. was owner and manager of Blythe Plumbing & Heating, Inc. He and a business colleague purchased Blythe in 1974. D.C., then majority owner, sold Blythe in 2003 and retired January 1, 2008. Prior to Blythe, he worked at Boeing and Morse Hardware and served his country as a Lieutenant in the US Army, completing his tour of duty in 1969.
In 1967, D.C. met Suzanne Wilcox while skiing at Snoqualmie Pass. They fell in love and were married on July 21, 1968. When D.C. completed his Army service, they settled in Bellingham, where their three children were born. During their years together they reconnected with many of D.C.’s old friends, growing Bellingham roots for their children. They enjoyed life with their family until Suzanne passed away on October 26, 1980.
D.C. was lucky enough to experience love twice. While skiing at Mt. Baker in February 1985, he met Janice (Jan) Marchbanks. They were married on September 28, 1985. After they retired, D.C. and Jan traveled the world, returning often to favorite places in Africa, South America, and Alaska. They boated in the San Juans, Canadian waters, and Alaska; rafted the Grand Canyon; and spent time at their condominium near Cabo San Lucas.
Over the years, D.C. was a board member of a number of non profit organizations and several businesses. While serving on the Board of the Rotary Club of Bellingham Foundation, he led the fundraising to establish an endowment for Foundation scholarships.
D.C. was a father, grandfather, advisor, and mentor. He was a boater, skier, fisherman, hunter, and traveler. D.C. was honest, bright, kind, generous, helpful, playful, thoughtful, a community stalwart, and an adventuresome travel partner with Jan. He was a genuinely fine human being.
D.C. was preceded in death by his parents, David and Joyce Morse, and his late wife, Suzanne Wilcox Morse. He is survived by his wife, Jan Marchbanks; daughter, Anne Marie Morse; son, David (Daver) Morse III (Heather); son, Judson Morse (Michelle); stepdaughter, Kristi Marchbanks; three grandchildren, Andrew, Sawyer, and Sophia; sister, Patricia Morse; brother, Bob Morse (Jeanette); sister, Katie Morse (Tony Aman); numerous nieces and nephews; and Rotary Exchange daughter, Silvia Heredia, and her sons, Andre and Rodrigo.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at the First Congregational Church of Bellingham, 2401 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to: Rotary Club of Bellingham Foundation Scholarship Fund, 2200 Vining Street, Bellingham, WA 98229. Please share your memories at www.westfordfuneralhome.com.
