Morris Stamps

Morris Duel Stamps, age 96, of Monterey, Tennessee, passed away on Friday, March 13, 2026, in Monterey, Tennessee. Morris was born in Cookeville, Tennessee, on Monday, June 3, 1929, to the late Ruth Ellen Ledbetter Stamps Miller Goldsboro and Lawerence Duel Stamps. Morris spent many of his formative years with his beloved grandparents, Mitchell and Jemima Ledbetter of Monterey, and John and Artie Stamps of Cookeville. Morris graduated from Monterey High School Class of 1947. After serving in the United States Army, 2nd Battalion, 179th Division on the front line in Korea, he returned to earn a BS and MA from Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville. Morris was an educator at heart, beginning his journey with education positions in Middle Tennessee and continuing in Dayton, Ohio, where he retired. Returning to Middle Tennessee, he eagerly assumed the positions of Assistant Principal and teacher at Algood Middle School, retiring once again. He served his communities as an elementary teacher, Middle School Industrial Arts teacher, Assistant Principal, and Principal. Morris also showed his passion for educating and developing youth by coaching both football and basketball early in his career. His other professional pursuits included establishing the Dairy Queen in Monterey, Tennessee, along with Collie Bohannon and then later a Painting Business in Dayton, Ohio. Morris had many talents as a creator; in his early years he used his artistic abilities as a sign painter for many Monterey businesses. Morris had a passion for art and excelled at oil and watercolor painting, jewelry making, stained glass, scrimshaw, woodcarving, and woodworking. It was said that if it could be made of wood, Morris could do it. During his lifetime, Morris was very active in the communities in which he lived. This included faithful membership of Monterey United Methodist Church, serving on several committees and participating in mission trips to Panama. Other pursuits during his life, included being a dedicated Boy Scout Leader, Free Mason, Advisory Board Member for Rainbow Girls, and a supportive member of the Civitan Club. Morris dearly loved his family and friends, traveling, history, and reading. He shared his passion for travel locally and abroad with those he loved. He had a deep interest in our National Parks, especially Glacier. A favorite pastime in his later years was porch sitting with his “besties” on a warm day. In addition to his parents, Morris was preceded in death by his grandparents, Mitchell and Jemima Ledbetter, John and Artie Stamps; wife, Priscilla Bright Stamps, and wife, Chesterlene Harris Stamps; sister Barbara Witeof; brother, Jack Miller; and son-in-law, Steve Kautz. Morris was survived by his brother, Jim Miller of Oklahoma; his daughters, Pamela Kautz of Hermitage, TN, and Jane Reed (Gordon) of Monterey, TN; grandchildren, Chelsea Domino (Bart) of Hermitage, TN, Steven Kautz (Susannah) of Burnsville, NC, Hunter Reed (Katy) of Apison, TN, and Noah Reed of Cookeville, TN; great grandchildren, Lucas and Miles Domino of Hermitage, TN, Judah, Baylor, and Hudson Reed of Apison, TN. In lieu of flowers, the family requested memorial donations be given to Monterey United Methodist Church, 124 North Holly Street, Monterey, TN 38574. Funeral Services were conducted on Friday, March 20, 2026, at 2:00 PM from The Chapel of Goff Funeral Home. Rev. Denna Hornby and Rev. Fabian Valtierra officiated and Interment followed in the Whittaker Cemetery with Full Military Honors Provided by The Veterans Honor Guard. The family received friends at Goff Funeral Home on Friday, March 20, 2026, from 12:00 PM until time of services at 2:00 PM. Arrangements and Care provided by D.M. Goff Funeral Home, Inc., 205 East Cleveland Avenue, Monterey, Tennessee 38574, Phone, 931.839.2311.

Morris Stamps

June 3, 1929 - March 13, 2026