Nicholas "Nick" G. Morris

Nicholas G. Morris spent his brief but beautiful life taking the long way home, learning, growing, and loving all along the way. But on February 4th, 2025, his 46-year-old body stopped in its sleep, peacefully and quietly. On the other hand, his soul? His soul always knew 'there are other worlds than these.' Thus, with a deep sense of loss and sadness, we must announce that it was time for Nick's soul to go find those other worlds.

Nick's life journey began on September 8th, 1978 in Peoria, Illinois as the son of Terry Lynn Morris and the late Ricarla Kay Morris. He eventually moved to North Carolina and attended Garner High School, where he met his match and life-long inspiration Ashley Murdock. Together with her, they welcomed their daughter Zoe Elizabeth into the world. This was, by his own account, the first call of duty - home and family. Led by his innate curiosity and intellect, he pursued his many interests in the fields of science, engineering, mechanics and music. Nick went on to earn multiple certifications in engine repair and maintenance, and mastered every aspect of every model of Harley Davidson motorcycles. He also grew a community of close friends and a wide network of colleagues and customers through Tobacco Road Harley Davidson dealership in Garner, NC, where he worked for 17 years. In those years, he was recognized over and over as an outstanding member of the team and was awarded Service Manager of the Year several times. His skills on the guitar gave him another community, particularly with the bands Flywheel and Blown Duodenum. But these are just the tangible achievements of a talented man; it was his kind and loving soul that connected him with the huge community that now feels such a loss.

Souls can only be known by their stories, and Nick has left us hundreds of them, each of which demonstrates the kindness, care, and respect he had for all of us. "If you stood in front of a bus, and you believed in standing in front of that bus? I'd have your back" he told one friend. Another? Nervous about taking her first solo road trip, Nick asked her to bring him back some rocks from the Badlands. She did, but as she handed him a bag of rocks, she asked him why? Why did he want rocks from the Badlands? He replied, "I gave you a mission, and I knew you'd carry that mission out. And that's how I knew you'd be safe and you would return, because you had a mission." If he knew you, he respected you, period and end of discussion. If you needed help, he gave all he could. If you needed kindness, he had plenty. If you needed advice, he gave it respectfully. If you disagreed, his support was strong and constant. If you knew him for any reason at all, for any length of time? He left you a story.

Eyes, they say, are the windows to the soul. To remember Nick is to remember his amazing eyes, a force in themselves and always lit up with some kind of mischief or interest, but always with a steady, unflinching kindness for others. The soul, they say, resides in the heart. Nick's heart was full of all that was good, but it gave out and could not go on. His eyes? It's amazingly fitting that his eyes have been donated to science, and deeply comforting that the memory of his eyes will live on in our own souls.

Nick lived his life fierce and full on, a force to be reckoned with, learning and growing every minute he was given. He loved motorcycles. He loved The Bears. He loved Star Wars. But above all else, he loved his family and he loved his friends. He would like to know that his force will always be with us, that we might carry his stories and continue his legacy. He would identify with the Gunslinger, and he would have to admit, sadly but bravely, that it was time to go.

"Go now. Our journey is done. And may we meet again, in the clearing, at the end of the path."

Nick is survived by his wife Ashley Michelle Morris and his daughter Zoe Elizabeth, his father Terry Lynn Morris, his sister Katie Mae Williams and her husband Chad Williams; nephews Chase and Austin Buck and Tristan Williams; nieces Haley and Aria Williams; his mother in law Nancy Murdock, brother in law James Murdock Jr. and his partner Michelle McNeil; his brothers in love Chris Monette and Mike Baker; and by all of his Tobacco Road Harley Davidson family. Every one of them have stories to tell about Nick, and those stories will be the comfort needed in the days ahead.

Flowers may be sent to Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, 1200 Benson Road, Garner, NC 27529.

Or in lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Nick's name to a charity that meant a great deal to him: the Brad Whitfield scholarship fund. Checks may be mailed to the CCCC Foundation, 1105 Kelly Drive, Sanford, N.C. 27330, with Brad Whitfield Scholarship in the memo line, or a call can be made to Dr. Hare at 919-718-7230 to make a donation over the phone, or visit the CCCC Foundation website at www.cccc.edu/foundation to make a PayPal gift.

A celebration of life will be held at the Tobacco Road Harley Davidson location in Garner, NC., at a time and date to be announced.