Farries “Mickey” Morrison Jr., the first black administrator in the Springfield School District, died Wednesday following a car crash in Sherman.

Authorities were unable to say if Morrison, 69, died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash or due to a medical problem.

Sherman Police Chief Eric Smith said Morrison was going north on Sherman Boulevard, also known as Business 55, around noon. A car in front of him slowed to turn on Crossing Drive, and Morrison’s Chevrolet Equinox struck the back of the second car. Morrison’s vehicle then struck a tree.

The driver of the second car, Linda Verway, 50, of Kewanee, sustained minor injuries and refused treatment at the scene.

Distinguished career

A 1959 graduate of Feitshans High School, Morrison had a distinguished career in the Springfield school district.

He coached eighth and ninth-grade boys teams at what was then Washington Junior High School from 1966 to 1969. The job earned him the distinction of becoming the first black head coach in the city school system.

He was also the district’s first black administrator, working as assistant principal at Southeast High School in the early 1970s. He later was director of personnel for the school district and retired as assistant principal at Springfield High School in 2000.

Allan Woodson, a former school administrator and alderman, grew up a few blocks from Morrison. He said Morrison paved the way for other black administrators.

“It was very important. It was important for the students, important for the staff and important for people like myself and others coming behind,” Woodson said of Morrison’s career. “It showed us that there were opportunities to advance into administration if you got yourself qualified and were prepared to assume those responsibilities.”

Morrison led trips to black colleges in the south to recruit new Springfield teachers, Woodson said. Morrison’s obituary indicated that he recruited more than 100 black educators during his tenure.

“He was a pioneer in that regard as well,” Woodson said.

Understood kids

Kris Glintborg of Riverton worked with Morrison at Springfield High School. He said Morrison got along well with parents and students.

“It was funny, he knew the kids’ language before a lot of us adults did. He could relate to them on that level, but he always maintained a position of authority,” Glintborg said.

Farries Morrison Jr. was named after his father, but he was commonly called Mickey. After he earned his doctorate from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in educational leadership, he was also known as “Doc” or “Doc Mo.”

Glintborg said Morrison enjoyed being assistant principal.

“He really liked the interaction he had with the kids. He liked dealing with the parents and teachers. He thought that might have been different had be been in the principal’s position,” Glintborg said.

Juan Morrison Sr., Farries Morrison’s brother, agreed that his brother enjoyed working with the kids.

“He was a mentor to a number of young people. He was definitely a people person,” Juan Morrison said.

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Visitation set for Sunday, Monday

In addition to teaching, Farries “Mickey” Morrison Jr. ran for Springfield mayor in 1971 and was a lifelong member of Prayer Wheel Church of God in Christ, 1731 E. Kansas St., where his father, Farries Morrison Sr., was pastor.

The younger man served as an assistant pastor at the church for 43 years and became pastor for three years after his father’s death in 2005.

Morrison was also active at Emmanuel Temple Church of God in Christ, 2400 E. Ash St., where his brother, Juan serves as pastor.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday and 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at Emmanuel Temple.

Services will be held at the church at 11 a.m. Monday.