Bo Morris
Bo Morris, a single child, traveled quite a bit during childhood. His father spent 20 years in the United States Air Force, which meant many adventures for the family. Bo was born at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, Louisiana. He lived in Ramstein, Germany, just before moving to Texarkana. Graduating from Pleasant Grove High School in 1997, it became his eighth school to attend during his childhood. Although he had no siblings growing up, his parents remarried, and he now has two step-brothers and two step-sisters.
Bo has a deep love for baseball. “I am a baseball fanatic!! I started umpiring when I realized I wouldn’t go far as a player. I spent five wonderful years going through the ranks as a Minor League Umpire. Due to being an ‘Army brat’ and the world of baseball, I’ve had the fortunate experience of traveling and seeing the world,” Bo says.
Bo married his wife, Tiffany, in 2013. The couple met through mutual friends long before they were married. Bo says, “Life had taken us both down different paths initially. However, the good Lord found it fit for our paths to cross again, and now she can’t get rid of me! When I met my wife, she had a three-year-old little girl. She turned four the year we married, so I was thrust into the step-dad role, which, thankfully, I learned how to navigate from my step-dad. I always said if she and I could have half the relationship he and I had, I would be doing okay. In 2014, Tiffany and I had a daughter together. Now, both of my children have quite a few grandparents since my wife and I are both from blended families. However, they all put personal feelings aside, come to every function, and support us and my kids like grandparents should! We are very fortunate to have the ‘village’ that we do,” Bo says.
Kynlee is almost 18 and graduated eighth in her class at Texas High School this past month. She is attending Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, Arkansas, this fall. She has danced for ten years, serves in the family’s church through the children’s ministry, and on the worship team. She even had the courage to participate in a local pageant and win the Miss Northeast Texas title.
Karlynn is 10 and in the fourth grade at Morris Elementary School. She also dances, and although she is the caboose of the family, she takes the role of “conductor” very seriously. Karlynn is funny, has a big heart, and loves Jesus.
“I always thought I’d be the dad in the bleachers, rooting for my kids in whatever sport they were interested in. But I’m a dance dad, and most recently, a pageant dad. But I never miss a recital. Always there waiting for them with a smile, a hug, and flowers. And I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Bo says.
When reflecting on his fatherly influence, Bo remarks, “I am fortunate to have a ‘father’ and a ‘dad.’ Growing up, my father was always my coach, no matter what sport I played that time of year. Being in the military, it was always about the betterment of the team. He instilled in us that we are only as strong as our weakest link. And also, if you are on time, you’re late! After my parents divorced, both remarried fantastic people. My ‘dad’ is my step-dad. He’s been in my life for over 20 years and always treated me like one of his own, even when he needed to get on to me and my two step-brothers. There was never and still is no separation. When I introduce him, I say, ‘These are my parents.'”
Bo encourages younger fathers to continuously love their children and invest in their children’s interests. “Don’t try to live vicariously through your children. Lead by example. Make church, worship, and fellowship a priority,” Bo says. He also encourages fathers to have crucial conversations early so their children will trust them later and not to give them a phone too soon.