Donald Wayne Morrison, Sr.

You always knew where you stood with Don Morrison – he was the kind of man who spoke his mind regardless of the consequences. He was also the kind of man who would go out of his way to help a friend, particularly if it involved some good trouble.

Donald Wayne Morrison Sr. died Sunday, July 20, 2025 at age 66.

Born in Roanoke to Joyce Huddleston Bright and Darce Morrison, he was raised by Joyce and Fred Bright from the age of two.

Don loved the outdoors and grew up as a Boy Scout, achieving the rank of Eagle. He later raised his sons in the program and helped lead Troop 118 in Lynchburg on outdoor adventures.

Don graduated from I.C. Norcom High School in Portsmouth in 1975 and entered the Air Force where he served several years as a jet engine mechanic, including a stint in Mendenhall, England.

Don married Valeri Lienemann in 1978 while still in the service (the couple divorced 16 years later) and settled for a time in Portsmouth before moving to the Lynchburg area in 1987 to raise their sons, Donald Wayne Morrison Jr. and Daryl Edward Morrison.

Don was a self-taught engineer and a machinist by trade, working for a few companies before settling into a more than 30 year career at B&W, now Framatome. He basically made his own job as a go-between for engineers and the machine shop, reviewing drawings to reduce costly mistakes and improving designs for ease of manufacturing. He later taught classes for engineers on best machining techniques and began design work/prototyping.

When he wasn’t working, Don loved to be on the water – whether it was kayaking through difficult whitewater, taking a lazy float with a fishing pole or sleeping under the stars on the deck of his motorboat. He raised his sons as whitewater kayakers, climbers, mountain bikers and outdoors enthusiasts.

He loved riding his Harley-Davidson and, in his later years, joining his friends on four-wheeler trails in West Virginia. He spent time in his garage and had the reputation of a magician when it came to fixing small engines.

Don also had a brief moment of fame with a clip in the show America’s Funniest Home Videos, where he climbed his boat’s ski tower with the intent to dive off, only to fall, bouncing all the way into the water.

He adored his pets, particularly his black lab, Kota, and his quaker parrot, Squirt.

He is survived by his mother and father, Joyce and Fred Bright; along with siblings Daniel Bright and wife Jessica; David Bright; Ernie Morrison; Bryan Morrison and wife Connie; and Margaret Morrison; as well as two sons, Wayne Morrison and wife Carrie Sidener; Daryl Morrison and wife Brandi; and five grandchildren Andrew Morrison; Samantha Riley Morrison; Kamryn Morrison, Wyatt Morrison and Kendyll Morrison.

A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, July 25 at Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory at 220 Breezewood Drive in Lynchburg. A graveside service will follow at 2:30 p.m. Friday at Mountain View Cemetery at 1401 Mountain View Road in Vinton.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.