Kevin Morris RIP

Kevin Morris graduated with a BSc from Liverpool University in 1950 and took up a science teaching post at St Edwards. Here he was known as Johnny Morris – sometimes Smiler Morris – presumably after the popular radio personality of the time. Johnny Morris taught mainly physics to our group in the upper forms and was either the founder or an enthusiastic promoter of a Scientific Society. He and his wife, Marion, were originally from Lancashire and left it with some reluctance when Kevin was appointed Headteacher of St. Michael's College, Leeds in the early 1970s, where he was affectionately known as KD. However, they settled happily in their adopted county with their family, living in North Leeds in Holy Name parish where they were both active members.

St. Michael's College was a boys' grammar school and had been founded by the Jesuits in the early 1900s. It had a considerable academic and sporting reputation and Kevin contributed to both these aspects of the school. He was the first lay head of the school, following a long line of distinguished Jesuit priests. Kevin oversaw successfully the changing nature of the school during the local reorganisation, into a boys' comprehensive in 1978. Following his retirement in 1985, he represented Leeds Catholic Diocese on Leeds Education and Diocesan committees.

Kevin was a big man physically and had a matching reputation of considerable size in Leeds and in Catholic education circles. His colleagues in St. Michael's held him in the highest regard.

Kevin Morris, or KD as he was affectionately known to his colleagues in St. Michael's, died in Oct. 2006 aged 79 after a period of illness.