John Dale Morton

John Dale Morton passed away with family surrounding him on August 22, 2022. He was 90 years old and had led a truly remarkable life. John Morton was born in Dayton, Kentucky on January 21, 1932 to John and Sarah Morton. He was raised in Newport, Kentucky, and although he was an only child, he was surrounded by a huge family of cousins, aunts, and uncles. He grew up living over his parents’ dry cleaning store. It was an idyllic childhood until tragedy struck and his beloved father died of cancer when he was 16. John was a four year US Air Force Veteran serving in Germany during the Korean War and then in Alaska where he participated in spy missions over Russian territories. At the age of 22 he met Dorothy (Dottie) Gourley at a Baptist Church in Cincinnati, and they were married six months later. He saw her singing in the choir and he immediately knew she was the love of his life. They had been married for 55 years when Dottie passed away in 2009. John’s family was the center of his life. His love for Dottie extended to his four children. While he traveled and worked long hours, he prioritized family dinners, sporting events, and theatrical events to be there for his children and later grandchildren John had an honorable and courageous career. After an honorable discharge from the USAF, he started as a beat cop in Cincinnati, Ohio where he served for several years. After, he began his career with the US Secret Service followed by the US Department of Treasury, in Customs in Detroit Michigan. He was transferred to Cleveland, Ohio and then back to Cincinnati where he became the Agent in Charge of the Regional Office. In his storied career, John met and worked with people like Paul Newman to take down international smugglers. He was part of the arrest team of Jane Fonda and Bob Seger (rumor has it that the Silver Bullet band was named after him). He chased down drug cartels as he led the Vice President’s Task Force, in “the war against drugs” in Miami, Florida. He busted jewel smugglers, and broke up child pornography rings. He was admired by all those he worked with over the years. After retiring from the US Treasury Department at age of 55, he was recruited by the US State Department where he conducted sensitive background investigations to provide security clearance for top level government employees. His service to our great country spanned more than 50 years. Outside of work John was involved in the community. He volunteered at church, the Kiwanis club, in choirs, at local senior centers, and at the farmers market. He loved to be outside, gardening with Dottie, taking walks, and golfing. He was beloved for his storytelling, puns, singing and dancing. He was a happy, sweet, loving, silly, gentle soul. He loved baseball and his Cincinnati Reds. His all-time favorite Red was Johnny Vander Meer. John leaves behind four children – John Morton (Shirley), Kenn Morton (Venus), Dina Morton, and Jeanne Morton Stifelman (Dave); 11 grandchildren – John Morton, Jacob Morton, Jillian Wisniewski, Brett Morton, Alan Morton, Tyler Morton, Bryan Sturdivant, Danielle Sturdivant, Alexandra Stifelman, Jacquelyn Stifelman, and Kaitlin Stifelman; 10 great-grandchildren – Sarah Morton, Hugo Morton, Ariel Morton, Anna Wisniewski, Isaac Wisniewski, Mackenzie Kruse, Peighton Morton, Jaxon Morton, Greta Morton, and Owen Sturdivant; 1 great-great-grandchild, Vivienne Morton-Thomsen. Memorial Service will be Friday September 2, 2022 with Visitation from 9:00AM – 10:00AM, Funeral Service at 10:00AM all at Hyde Park Community United Methodist Church 1345 Grace Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45208. Donations in memory of John can be made to John D. Morton tribute page at the Alzheimer’s Association by following the link below