Lt. Morris heading ‘up home’

By Dean Shipley

Staff Writer

Up home.

It is a phrase — formerly used by this reporter’s father — used by Lt. Steve Morris, EMT whose final day at Medic 280 was Thursday, Feb. 7. For 27.5 years the 58-year-old Morris has been an EMT in London, traveling from Lakeview in Logan County: up home.

At this time in his life, he said Thursday it is time to step away, to remain up home.

It was there Morris began as a volunteer for the local fire department. Gifted with a helpful spirit, Morris stepped up to serve his community.

“It’s just helping everybody, to go out and do the best you can do and hope for the best,” Morris said.

His wife of 30 years, Suzanne, had been running with the department prior to his arrival. He was invited to drop down to London and check out the operation.

“I came down and went on some runs,” he said. “They took me hook line and sinker.”

He and his wife served on the same 24-hour shift, so they rode together on the 60-mile one-way trip from home to work.

He will join his wife in retirement.

As he reflected on his time in London, Lt. Morris was pleased.

“You couldn’t ask for a better bunch of people,” he said of his co-workers.

Those people, whom the medics serve, have also been supportive.

“The people have been great. They’ve always passed our levies,” he said.

In his retirement, Morris plans to remain busy. He’ll mow some yards and wash vehicles for neighbors. But the job, which is not a job really, he’s looking forward to is cooking chicken twice a month for his local Amvets chapter.

“I really enjoy that,” he said.