Darren "Norm" Morrison, 41, passed away in his sleep at home of a major heart attack on May 16, 2014. He had quadruple bypass surgery on May 1, 2014. Darren was born in Scottsbluff, Nebraska on July 29, 1972 to Kenneth E. Morrison and Sharon K. "Sherri" Hardesty Morrison Blakeslee. The family moved to Casper in 1976 when Darren was 4 years old and, with the exception of about 10 years spent in Tucson and Phoenix, Arizona, he has lived in Casper. Darren's schooling started at Shepherd of the Hills pre-school at age 4; Fort Casper, Westwood and Fairdale Elementary Schools and graduated in 1990 from Kelly Walsh High School where he played football. He attended Casper College several times but alas no degree.
Darren was an avid Nebraska Cornhuskers fan, loved heavy metal music, and dogs.
Darren worked a variety of jobs in Casper and Arizona. He then attended Sage Truck Driving School in Casper and obtained his CDL. He loved being a long haul trucker working first for West Side Transport in Iowa, Old Dominion Freight, Estes Express, and Motor Cargo in Phoenix. About 3 years ago he was diagnosed with diabetes and could no longer obtain the medical card to continue trucking. The past few years he worked as a courier for the U.S. Census Bureau, tried selling insurance for Banker's Life and Casualty, and driving a pilot car for TNT Pilot Car in Mills, Wyoming. He most recently started working for NOWCAP in Casper in the E-Recycling program; a job he was truly enjoying.
Darren is survived by his mother, Sherri and Terry Blakeslee of Casper; and father Ken and Kathy Morrison of Tucson. Also surviving are 10 cousins and lots of 2nd cousins; a multitude of friends; his Uncle Ed (Sandee) Hardesty of Henry NE; Aunt Sandy Smith of Tucson; Aunt Joyce Hardesty Kreiling of Scottsbluff; Great Uncle Hap Hardesty of Lexington NE; and good friends Julie Collins of Casper and Peter Jay of Cheyenne and his "OTHER MOTHER" Sharon Townsend of Greenville, TX.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Burr and Erma Hardesty of Henry NE; Melvin and Connie Morrison of Tucson AZ; and Maggie and PJ Young of Arkansas; Uncle Bob Hardesty and Aunt Wilba Lea and Uncle Wes Rathbun all of Henry.
Memorial services are scheduled for May 20, 2014 at 2:00 PM at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Casper. Inurnment is scheduled for May 21, 2014 at 11:00 at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Morrill, Nebraska. Please, no flowers. Memorial contributions in Darren's name may be made to the family for designation at a later date in care of Darren's mother at 1171 Surrey Street, Casper, WY 82609.