Richard “Dick” Morden, 89, of Port Huron, died Monday, March 1, 2021.
Richard was born on March 20, 1931 in Lansing to the late Manley and Margaret Morden. He married Clara Wilson on February 16, 1957. They were married for 42 years, until her untimely passing in 1999.
Richard’s ultimate pride and joy was spending time with his family. He looked forward to and enjoyed many trips and visits with his five adult children, nine adult grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
Richard enjoyed years of sailboat racing on Lake Huron with his friend, Russ Balmer, and other members of the Port Huron Yacht Club.
He was a long-time volunteer supporter and leader in the Blue Water Council of the Boy Scouts of America and Silver Trails Scout reservation. His sons, Larry, Ed and Dan became leaders in BSA. Ed, Dan and grandsons, Larry and Frank, all four earned the rank of Eagle Scout.
Richard graduated in 1949 from Saint Stephen’s Catholic High School in Port Huron and played on their football team, then completed one year of college. He was a self-employed Master Carpenter and business owner of R. L. Morden Home Builders. While on family drives, he took pride to point out many of the 2,500 residential homes he built over the decades within St. Clair County.
From January 1952 to December 1953, Richard answered his nation’s call and served on active duty in the Korean War with the United States Army I Corps, 51st Signal Battalion, as a Signals Corpsman Repeat Man. Richard was attached to military frontline U.S. Marine combat units and he had to keep his issued weapons within arm’s reach at all times. Like many veterans, Richard would not speak much of his military service. However, a point of pride was that he was one of the “Frozen A..holes of I Corps” - an interpretation of the shoulder patch insignia. The United States Army awarded CPL Richard L. Morden the Meritorious Unit Commendation; Republic of Korea-Korean War Service medal with 2 bronze Service Stars; United Nations Service Ribbon and National Defense Service Ribbon in recognition of faithful and dedicated service to our Nation. Richard was awarded the 50th Anniversary Korean War Service medal from the South Korean President, for his sacrifice and noble contribution to safeguard the Republic of Korea and uphold democracy around the World, that has enabled South Korea to remain a free democratic nation. Richard was a member of DAV Chapter 12.
He is survived by five children, Larry (Linda) Morden, Robert Morden, Mary Jo Morden Perkins, Edward (Sandy) Morden and Daniel (Bonnie) Morden; nine grandchildren, Charlene (Brad) Watson, Larry (Meghan) Morden, Frank Morden (fiancée Melissa Minielly), Jason (Andrea) Morden, Amanda (Jason Flores) Perkins, Joshua Perkins (fiancée Jen Marth), Elizabeth (Daniel) Foley, Ellen (Ryan) Thrushman, Kate (John IV) Denner; and 16 great grandchildren, Clare Ella, Casey, Olivia, Emma, Evelyn, Conner, Collin, Jordan, Aubrey, Hayden, Camryn Paige, Rylen “Pooty”, Will Sawyer, Brynlee, Alayna and Piper Rae.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Walter; a sister Marilyn Moore; brother in-law, Richard “Dick” Moore; and daughter-in-law, Patti Morden.
Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Friday in Pollock-Randall Funeral Home, Port Huron. A limited number of people will be allowed in at a time. Please wear a mask for the comfort and safety of others.
Private services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 6, 2021 in Pollock-Randall Funeral Home. Deacon Dennis Crimmins will officiate.
Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Military honors will be conducted under the auspices of the U.S. Army and the St. Clair County Allied Veterans Honor Guard.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 12 of Port Huron. To send condolences, visit pollockrandall.com.
