Life Reflections:

Gregory Alan Morton was born October 9, 1953, in Akron, Ohio.

He was educated within the Akron School System where his mother, Hazel Morton, made sure that he never missed a day and was never tardy, truly a feat and a testament to the force that Hazel Morton truly was! He graduated from Akron Central-Hower High School as the first student from Central-Hower to earn an NCAA Division I football scholarship.

Gregory attended the University of Michigan where he earned Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in Education Administration and Supervision. Gregory was a brother within Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

Gregory played college football under head coach Bo Schembechler. He was a starting defensive tackle for the Wolverines in 34 of 35 games from 1974 to 1976. And he became one of the best defensive linemen in the college game. Bo Schembechler called him the "quickest, most aggressive tackle in America," and added, "He's super quick, reacts like a cat and is surprisingly strong." In December 1975, the Associated Press published a feature story focusing on Gregory's fondness for exotic flora, including a purple passion plant that he had named Claudine. The Los Angeles Times dubbed him "Michigan's Plant Man."

For two consecutive years, Gregory was selected as a first-team All-Big Ten player by both the AP and the UPI. He was selected by the ABC television network as the 1976 defensive player of the year in college football. He received the award during a ceremony broadcast on ABC during the Liberty Bowl. At the end of his collegiate career, he ranked third in Michigan's all-time record book in both career tackles and career tackles for loss. Greg or "Mo" as he was affectionately called around Ann Arbor's campus, was drafted to play for the NFL Buffalo Bills football team in 1977.

He married Patricia Denise Russell in 1978 and moved to Arlington, Texas where he worked as a Tarrant County probation officer. The family became active members of the Dallas West Church of Christ Congregation. Gregory also became a football official for high school and collegiate games, specifically within the SWAC and WAC conferences. He enjoyed travel to Hawaii, London, and Scotland.

He later moved back to the Akron area and loved volunteering faithfully within the Foster Grandparents Program at the Community Action Akron Summit Headstart Childcare facility in Akron. He served there for 12 years and was dedicated to working with the 2- and 3-year-old children.

Gregory is survived by his daughters: Courtney Lynn Morton-Perry (Chris) and Kyla Morton Edwards. They will forever remember his larger-than-life smile, and his gentle and dependable soul. They carry on his high regard for and dedication to education. And his quiet strength and immovable reliability will stand as a model for them.

His grandchildren, Kayden Edwards, Carter Perry, Campbell Perry and Canaan Perry, along with his brothers Anthony and Dwight (Antoinette) cherish his memory. He leaves behind a special sister Donna J Wilson. A host of nieces, nephews, other close relatives and numerous friends will miss him dearly.

Hazel and Lavon Morton, James R Dew, Patricia Morton, and Gerald Morton preceded him in death.