Deceased Classmate: Morris, Darrel (2004)
Date Of Birth: 5-27-1985
Date Deceased: 1-21-2007
Age at Death: 21
Cause of Death: Military Action
Classmate City: Spokane
Classmate State: WA
Classmate Country: USA
Was a Veteran: Yes Marines
Survived By: Darrel is survived by his aunt and uncle, Mik and Kim Cole; sisters Danielle Morris, Brittany Clark, Courtney and husband Tim Copeland, Shawndell and husband John Gleese; and six nieces and nephews; aunt Maureen and husband Jim Zwicker of Portland; grandparents Jack and Ardys Harvlie (deceased), great-grandfather Glen Voss of Tucson; birth father Jack Harvlie Jr; and uncle, Glen Harvlie of Tacoma. Darrel is also survived by a large extended family including grandmother Mona Cole; grandfather, Milton Cole Sr. (deceased); aunts, Pam Radogna of Bath, PA,Penny and husband Chris Carter of Longview, WA, and many other aunts, uncles, cousins and friends too numerous to mention.

MORRIS, Darrel James 1985 - 2007 On January 21, 2007, Marine Corporal Darrel James Morris was killed in action in the Anbar province where he was serving his second tour of duty in Iraq. Darrel was serving as Turret Gunner in an MTVR when his vehicle was hit by an IED at an Iraq Army police checkpoint. Darrel was born in Tacoma, WA on May 27, 1985 to Jack Harvlie Jr. and Terry Morris. At age 10, Darrel and his younger sister Danielle, were taken in and raised by his Aunt and Uncle, Kim and Mik Cole of Spokane. In their care, Darrel flourished and grew. He attended Arlington and Sheridan Elementary schools, Chase Middle School and Ferris High School where he graduated in 2004. Darrel was a young man overflowing with the promises and excitement of life. He lived and loved every minute to its fullest capacity. Darrel enlisted in the USMarine Corps following the 911 attacks on the United States while still in High School. He graduated in June of 2004, and entered the Marines in August. Darrel finished boot camp and was assigned to Camp Lejeune, NC where he was trained in his chosen career field in communications as a radio operator. He received orders for his first tour to Iraq in August 2005 where he spent six months guarding the perimeter around Al Rahmadi. He returned to the states in February, 2006 and came home to Spokane on leave before returning to his home base at Camp Lejeune. Darrel received orders for his second tour of duty in Iraq and deployed in September 2006 for Anbar province. Darrel attained the rank of US Marine Corporal. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, ECHO Battery, Camp Lejeune, NC. Darrel had many loves in his life and his family and friends were among the most important. Darrel has always been comfortable openly expressing that love, through words, hugs, expressions and his remarkable caring nature. He was sensitive, compassionate and thoughtful and those of us who are related to him or knew him well, were all touched by that love. Darrel was also full of life and himself. He loved being the life of the party, and the center of the mischief. He loved all things fast and on-the-edge. He was the first of the kids to raise his hand to fly when Kim and Mik bought their Ultralight aircraft. To be dragged behind the family boat by anything that could be attached was a thrill he would not be denied. He jumped from the edge of steep cliffs into lakes and oceans from Spokane to Hawaii, laughing and screaming his excitement when he finally broke the water's surface. Sports were another great love of Darrel's and there was not one chosen sport that he attempted that he didn't think he could be the best at. His fierce competitive nature won him the Golden Gloves boxing title at age 11. He lettered as a Junior and Senior in Cross Country and probably would have in Football if he hadn't injured his knee in practice. Outside of school sports, Darrel was an enthusiastic and spirited participant in Spokane's annual Hoopfest activities with a local group of his best buds, Justin Houck, Carl Shaw and Mike Quackenbush. Hoopfest was an activity not to be missed and Darrel scheduled his leave after returning from his first tour in Iraq so he could again participate with his friends. In addition to Hoopfest, Darrel let very few Bloomsday races go by without creating a "friendly" competition between his friends and family. Darrel loved the finer things in life and had set his goals high so he could support those goals. He loved clothes and fashion more than most women, and he was meticulous about how he looked. He loved the ladies, but had his heart set on finding just the right one and settling down to raise a family. He leaves behind just that kind of special lady in North Carolina, his girlfriend, Giannina Carley. Darrel felt very strongly about his role as a Marine. He was fiercely proud of the job he was doing and served his country with passion. He was honored to be considered "One of the Few, the Proud, the Marines". Darrel had an incredible support group that included more than just family and friends. Local teachers, coaches and parents of his best friends provided Darrel an endless supply of love and support as he was growing and when he joined the Marine Corps. There is an African proverb that could not be any more fitting for this incredible support group: "It takes a village to raise a child." Our heartfelt thanks go out to the "Villagers" in Spokane who helped us raise such a beautiful son. Published on 1/31/2007