John Morris

John Morris, age 65 passed away peacefully while surrounded by his loved ones on November 2, 2021. John served as the Orange County Public Schools Chief Facilities Officer. Morris most recently of Leesburg, played a key role in construction projects that touch the lives of thousands of Orange County children, taxpayers, and visitors every day. From 2011 to 2021 he oversaw the construction of 102 new, renovated or replacement schools in every corner of the county, part of a $3 billion, ongoing facilities program. He also played key roles in the construction of the Amway Center and two phases of the Orange County Convention Center. John was known by his employees for his open-door leadership style, his kindness and his calm, thoughtful demeanor. “John’s legacy will resonate throughout our community for generations to come through the buildings he built, but most of all through the people he inspired,” said OCPS Superintendent Barbara M. Jenkins. As a young man working in construction under the Florida sun, Morris saw some construction managers emerging from their air-conditioned buildings in dress shirts. He decided then and there that's what he wanted to do, earning a degree in Construction Management from the University of North Florida in 1984. From there, he held numerous construction management jobs with increasing levels of responsibility. He joined the Orange County Government in 1993 as a Project Manager on Phase III of the Orange County Convention Center. He worked there for 14 years, rising to the position of Orange County Construction Manager for the Convention Center’s Phase V – a $748 million dollar expansion. Next, he led the construction of the new Amway Center, home of the Orlando Magic, as Director of Program Management. He remained in that position until joining Orange County Public Schools in 2011. Schools built during his tenure can be seen all over the county and include Windermere, Lake Buena Vista, and Horizon high schools. He was particularly proud of the OCPS Academic Center for Excellence, the renovation of Lockhart Elementary, and the replacement for Magnolia School. He believed strongly that every neighborhood deserved excellent school buildings and watched every penny on behalf of taxpayers. He oversaw a reduction of more than 50 percent in the number of portable classrooms needed over a decade, even as the rolls of Orange County schools increased by thousands of students. His role with the school district also included overseeing maintenance and custodial services for 205 schools. John married his wife, Patti, in 1994. He was a big sports fan and avid golf player. He was involved in youth sports programs throughout his community when his son, Matthew, was growing up in the Orlando area. He is preceded in death by his parents John and Jean Morris. He is survived by his wife Patti and his son Matthew as well as his siblings, Nina (husband Chuck) Marks, Janet Morris, Ray (wife Elise) Morris, and brother-in-law, David Barnett. In addition, nieces and nephews, Nathan (wife Jennifer), Paul (wife Shellie), and Katie Marks, Steven (wife Chelsea) and Brian (wife Molly) Morris, Sarah (husband Brett) Almquist, and Jon (wife Brittney) Barnett. A celebration of John’s life will be held on November 18, 2021, at the Rosen Inn Lake Buena Vista 8442 Palm Parkway, Orlando 32836 from 2-4 PM. The family of John Morris invites you to leave a message of condolence on the Tribute Wall created in his memory.

John Morris

July 17, 1956 - November 2, 2021