Receiving a Purple Heart is a sign of valor, service and sacrifice. This would be a fitting description to the kind of life that Max embodied.
Max Frazee “Mr. Banjo” Morrison peacefully left this earth Saturday morning, October 29, 2016 at his home. He was 90.
The fourth of six kids, and always the favorite, he was born February 19, 1926 in Brown County, Indiana to parents Dossie D. & Sarah I. (Frazer) Morrison. Max taught himself to play the banjo by ear and received pay for his first banjo performance when he was only 14 years old.
Max proudly served his country by joining the US Army. He was made an Intelligence Scout at the age of 18 and served under General Patton. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge in December, 1944 where he used his body to shield his buddy from a butterfly bomb that exploded near them taking injuries resulting in his left arm being completely severed. But that didn’t stop him from doing what he loved.
He still enjoyed entertaining people by playing his banjo and was a member of the Sarasota Mummers while he wintered down in Florida at Long Boat Key. Max was proud to work side by side with his brother Jack to build many houses in the area. Max was also a member of Sertoma for many years.
He is survived by a cherished friend Renée Schambre and her daughter Reagan; nephew and niece Peter & Mary Watts; beloved friend Edith (Dean) Huvler; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his loving wife of 68 years Mary Morrison, Max was preceded in death by his parents; his son Gregory Max Morrison in 1972; siblings Helen, Glenn, Jack, William and Paul.
Friends will be invited to call Wednesday, November 2, 2016 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Lexington Avenue Snyder Funeral Home where a memorial service honoring Max’s life will begin immediately at 12 p.m. Military honors will conclude the service at the funeral home.
Contributions in Max’s memory to OhioHealth Hospice or Sertoma may be made at the funeral home.
Snyder Funeral Homes is honored to serve Max’s family and encourage you to share a fond memory or message of condolence to them at SnyderFuneralHomes.com
