Morris Courtright, Jr.

Biographical Information

"Chaplain (Lt Col) Morris Courtright, Jr."  Wing Tips (Arizona Wing Civil Air Patrol) vol. 8, no. 6 (June 2010), p. 2:

Morris “Court” Courtright, PhD, 80, passed away May 29th, 2010....

Court was a retired Air Force officer, a Manned Spaceflight pioneer, and a Catholic priest.  His Air Force career included tours in Japan and Korea, earning a BS (EE) at University of Colorado, serving as Network Controller for the early manned spaceflight programs Mercury, Gemini and Apollo.  He completed his career as Chief of Computer Operations for the worldwide satellite tracking and data gathering network.  His awards included the DOD Commendation medal and the USAF Commendation medal with Oak Leaf Cluster; Distinguished Unit Citation; Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Medal with bronze star; Air Force longevity with silver oak leaf; Reserve Forces Medal; NCO Academy Ribbon; Marksman Medal; and Missileman badge.

Court completed a second career as a consulting electrical engineer designing maintaining and operating radio stations throughout the Southwest, designing electrical systems for schools, hospitals, commercial buildings, street lighting, freeway lighting and airport lighting.  He was an adjunct professor at Northern Arizona University, served as an instructor at Gateway Community College, and was Business Department Chairman at Xavier College Preparatory School.  He received his MS/(EE) and Ph.D. from Columbia Pacific University.  Court served two terms in the Arizona State Legislature, where, among other things, he was able to have the sales tax taken off food, which is still in effect today.  Ordained a nondenominational minister in Sept 2003, he then attended Agape Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, received his Master of Divinity and was ordained a Catholic priest January 2006.  He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and State Deputy (1986-87).  Court received his pilot’s license in 1978 and also was a Ham operator (KC7RDZ)....

Education

PhD: Electrical Engineering, Columbia Pacific University, (n.d.)

Masters: Electrical Engineering, Columbia Pacific University, (n.d.)

Masters: Divinity, Agape Seminar, 2006

Bachelors Science: Electrical Engineering, (n.d.)

Pilots License, 1978

Military Experience

U.S. Air Force, Korean War veteran, Vietnam War veteran 

Employment

Arizona Legislative Service

Sources

Birth: Arizona Legislative Biography sheet:  Morris Courtright Jr., parents:  Morris A. and Helen B. Courtright; Death:  The Military Chaplain (Military Chaplains Association), vol. 83, no. 2 (Summer 2010), p. 2:  "In Memoriam, Morris Courtright, Lt Col CAP, 29 May 2010, Scottsdale AZ, Member 2007", SSDI:  Name: Morris Courtright, Last Residence: 85631  San Manuel, Pinal, Arizona, United States of America, Born: 2 May 1930, Died: 29 May 2010, State (Year) SSN issued: Michigan (Before 1951); Military Service: cemetery record:  "Chaplain (Lt Col) Morris Courtright, Jr."  Wing Tips (Arizona Wing Civil Air Patrol) vol. 8, no. 6 (June 2010), p. 2; Cemetery:  U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Nationwide Gravesite Locator:  COURTRIGHT, MORRIS JR, MAJ US AIR FORCE, KOREA, VIETNAM, DATE OF BIRTH:  05/02/1930, DATE OF DEATH:  05/29/2010, BURIED AT: SECTION D3  ROW A  SITE 14, NATIONAL MEMORIAL CEMETERY OF ARIZONA,  23029 NORTH CAVE CREEK ROAD PHOENIX, AZ 85024

 

Education:

Chaplain (Lt Col) Morris Courtright Jr. Wing Tips (Arizona Wing Civil Patrol) Vol. 8, no. 6 (June 2010), p.2