Francis (Moose) Morris

FRANCIS ELLIOT MORRIS


Francis Elliot Morris (Moose) was born on June 1, 1933 and passed away on December 2, 2020. He was the only son of Herbert and Alice (Simpson) Morris. His Indian name was “Asaki Lesharo” meaning Dog Chief.

Francis was born in Pawnee, OK and joined the Pawnee Indian Baptist Church in 1944. He attended Pawnee Public Schools and graduated in 1951. During high school, Francis was in the marching band and played football, basketball, and threw the shot put and discus on the track team. He attended Northern Oklahoma College and Northeastern State University-both on football scholarships. Unfortunately, he injured his knee in September 1954 and never played football his senior year.

Francis enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Alaska from 1956-1958. He joined B. Company 45th Infantry Division as a Sergeant from 1958-1960. After he was honorably discharged from the Army, he went back to NSU and graduated in January 1960. After graduation, Francis moved to California and taught one year at Sherman Institute. He then moved to Merced, CA and taught and coached for 33 years until he retired in June 1994.

In 1983, Francis learned how to fly and flew his own airplanes from 1983-1998, accumulating over 400 hours of flight time. He then moved back to Pawnee in 1998 and became the Repatriation Coordinator until 2007.

Francis is a member of the Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma. He is a member of the Pitahawirata and Skidi Bands. Francis has been the Pitahawirata Head Chief since he was first selected in May 2004. He always considered it to be an honor and privilege to represent the Pitahawirata Band on the Nasharo Council. Francis previously served as a Veterans Chief for the Pawnee Indian Veterans Committee.

Francis is survived by his sister-Georgia Mae Adson, (2) step-daughters-Charlene Jones and Jill Vaughn, and countless nephews, nieces, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren.

Francis is preceded in death by his parents, sisters-Anna Audrey Mulder, Rowena Kate Salmon, and Lois Mitchell KnifeChief.