Thomas B. Morris

Category
1993
About This Inductee

Thomas B. Morris graduated from Hanover Area School District and Kingston School. He started his career at an early age fighting at area Glen Alden Coal Company Clambakes, where his record was 14 wins and 1 loss. He served in the Marines from 1946 to 1948, and while at Paths Island, S.C., attained a 15 win and 1 loss record. While still in the Marines, he fought as an amateur at various beach sites in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. During this time, while on furloughs, he was managed and trained by John Hakim of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and was a sparring partner for Jimmy King and Neil Miller. While serving in Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and Guantanomo Bay, Cuba, he fought in various tournaments and won the 147 lb. title. Upon discharge from the service with the rank of Sergeant, he returned to the tutelage of Johnny Hakim and Mr. Rob Abraham. These individuals, along with Cal Ostrum, Bob Eckenrode, and Bozo Toney accompanied him to Philadelphia fighting as an amateur, attaining a total record of 60 wins and 5 losses. He also had his own 18 ft. ring in Kingston. Thomas Morris’s career record was 61 wins and 5 losses: 12 KO’s, 26 TKO’s, 23 Decisions. He assisted Eddie O’Leary to train and spar with young fighters on Main Street, Luzerne. He worked for fifteen years in area mining and in a lunchroom in Kingston for eight years. While employed in the Philadelphia area by C.A.M. Industries, Inc., he had many sparring sessions at several notable gyms including the Passyunk Gym. He also trained and sparred at the West Side Settlement House in Luzerne, Pa. Moths also played on the Vernon Baseball Team in the Back Mountain League as a catcher. He also played baseball as a catcher while in the Marines. He has served as Vice-President of Luzerne, Courtdale Pringle Little League, and was involved in fund raising for them. He is a member of the Marine Corps League, V.F.W., American Legion, Disabled American Vets 102, Second Marine Division, Wilkes University Grapplers Club, Bloomsburg University Husky Club, Pedigraft Club of the Guthrie Clinic, Robert Packer Hospital, and the Boxing Hall of Fame. He has always given his time and money to help young children throughout the years with training and teaching basic boxing and wrestling. In 1988, he received the following award from Wilkes University: “In Appreciation of Your Many Contributions and Years of Dedication to Wilkes College Wrestling.” In 1990, he received an award from Bloomsburg University thanking “Tom Morris for his continued support and generosity.” He and his wife, Jean, make their home in Courtdale, Pa., and have been married forty-three years. They have two children, Thomas and Marlene, and two grandchildren, Alexandra and Thomas.