Robert B. Morton

ROBERT “Rock” MORTON SR., was born on July 21, 1932, in the countryside near South Boston, Virginia, to parents Thomas X. Morton and Lillie Bruce Morton. He was born two months premature and weighed only about two pounds. Nobody thought he would survive. He did survive, however, and was very loved, and especially doted on by his mother. His Aunt Emma Sue said he was always peeking out from behind his mother’s skirts. Around the age of three, his family moved to Baltimore. At Douglass High School he played on both the baseball and football teams and couldn’t decide which one he liked best. He won a football scholarship to Morgan State College and also joined ROTC. His college education was interrupted by a call from the army. After two years in Korea, Japan, and other parts of Asia, he returned to Morgan State and his football career. He majored in history and education, and eventually earned two masters degrees, one in Social Studies education and one in Political Science. He worked two jobs nearly all of his life, teaching Social Studies in Baltimore City Public Schools for 35 years and waiting tables 5 or 6 nights a week. Robert was always happy to run into his many former students all over the city, and they were always happy to see Mr. Morton. After retirement, he worked at Camden Yards for almost 10 years as Cal Ripken’s Suite Attendant, a job he enjoyed immensely. In 1959, He married Antoinette Hawkins and later had two sons, Robert Jr. and Duane Eric. He later married Sarah “Sally” Jane Mooney in 1985. They had three children, Patrick Thomas, Lillie Margaret (stillborn), and Janna Marianne, whose name means “God has given.” One of his last requests was to ask his beloved brother, Joseph Morton, Sr., to “Take care of my baby.” Robert loved to learn all of his life. He used to read dictionaries for fun. His home was filled with books. He enjoyed crossword puzzles, playing Scrabble, and chess. He also loved all kinds of music and was an excellent singer, whether in the Fulton Baptist choir or while driving in the car. He was a very generous and big-hearted man. Through Christian Children’s Fund, He and his family sponsored a little Ethiopian girl, Yenenesh, until she was 21. After she grew up, he started sending monthly donations to schools that provide free education to needy American Indian children in South Dakota. He was an expert raconteur, and loved to tell stories of his past. After returning to Morgan from Korea, he had joined Phalanx fraternity and kept touch with his frat brothers all throughout his life. He had many exploits with many friends. Of his youth, Robert often said, “Nobody ever had more fun than me!” Throughout his illness he expressed his desire to pass away at home. On Thursday August 13, 2015 he died in his house in the arms of his beloved wife, and surrounded by his children and brother.

Tributes

Robert B. Morton

July 21, 1932 - August 13, 2015