James "Jim" Emerson Morse

James Emerson Morse died on May 24th, 2024, of Stage Four Cancer. Jim was the kindest, most caring, person in the world. He believed in fairness and justice for all, and he lived this belief system in all that he did. He was a professional organist who earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Organ Performance at Oberlin College, and he received a Masters of Science as well in Organ Performance at the University of Oregon. His favorite piece of music was “Art of the Fugue” by Bach and he played it flawlessly.

After college he began working as a computer programmer at the James River Paper Plant in Gotham/Berlin, New Hampshire and he studied for his MBA at Albany University. Jim was employed at Norfolk Southern where he was transferred to Roanoke, a city which he loved.

Jim was a hard-working woodworker in his retirement, and he made both organ pipes and clavichords by hand. He loved German Shepherds, fishing, gardening, cooking, playing wordle, and all of the outdoors. He was a friend to all and a longtime member of AA who had not had an alcoholic drink in over 30 years. He is survived by his loving spouse, Victoria Owensby. He will always be in her heart and in the hearts of all who knew him.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.johnmoakey.com.