Morris Stamps

Morris Duel Stamps, 96, of Monterey, Tennessee, passed away on Friday, March 13, 2026 in Monterey, Tennessee. Morris was born in Cookeville, Tennessee, on June 3, 1929 to Ruth Ledbetter Stamps (Goldsboro) and Lawerence Duel Stamps of Cookeville, Tennessee. Morris spent many of his formative years with his beloved grandparents, Mitchell and Jemima Ledbetter of Monterey, and John and Artie Stamps of Cookeville. Morris graduated from Monterey High School in 1947. After serving in the US Army, 2nd Battalion, 179th Division on the front line in Korea he returned to earn a BS and MA from Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville. Morris was an educator at heart, beginning his journey with education positions in Middle Tennessee and continuing in Dayton, Ohio, where he retired. Returning to Middle Tennessee he eagerly assumed the positions of Assistant Principal and teacher at Algood Middle School; retiring once again. He served his communities as an elementary teacher, Middle School Industrial Arts teacher, Assistant Principal, and Principal. Morris also showed his passion for educating and developing youth by coaching both football and basketball early in his career. Morris’ other professional pursuits included establishing the Dairy Queen in Monterey, Tennessee with Collie Bohannon and later a Painting Business in Dayton, Ohio. Morris had many talents as a creator; in his early years he used his artistic abilities as a sign painter for many Monterey businesses. Morris had a passion for art and excelled at oil and water color painting, jewelry making, stained glass, scrimshaw, woodcarving, and woodworking. It was said that if could be made of wood, Morris could do it. During his lifetime Morris was very active in the communities in which he lived. This included faithful membership of Monterey United Methodist Church, serving on several committees and participating in mission trips to Panama. Other pursuits during his life include being a dedicated Boy Scout Leader, Free Mason, Advisory Board Member for Rainbow Girls, and a supportive member of the Civitan Club. Morris dearly loved his family and friends, traveling, history and reading. He shared his passion for travel locally and abroad with those he loved. He had a deep interest in our National Parks, especially Glacier. A favorite pastime in his later years was porch sitting with his “besties” on a warm day. Morris was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth Stamps Goldsboro and Lawerence Stamps; grandparents, Mitchell and Jemima Ledbetter, John and Artie Stamps; wife Priscilla Bright Stamps, wife Chesterlene Harris Stamps; sister Barbara Witeof, brother Jack Miller and son-in-law Steve Kautz. Morris is survived by his brother, Jim Miller of Oklahoma; his daughters Pamela Kautz of Hermitage and Jane Reed (Gordon) of Monterey; Grandchildren, Chelsea Domino (Bart) of Hermitage, Steven Kautz (Susannah) of Burnsville, North Carolina, Hunter Reed (Katy) of Apison, and Noah Reed of Cookeville; Great Grand Children, Lucas and Miles Domino of Hermitage, Judah, Baylor, and Hudson Reed of Apison. The family will receive friends on Friday, March 20, 2026 from 12:00 to 2:00 pm at D.M. Goff Funeral Home in Monterey with the Funeral Service starting at 2:00 pm. Interment to follow at Whiteaker Cemetery, Monterey.

Morris Stamps

June 3, 1929 - March 13, 2026