Jim Morris, civic and Pacers leader, dies at 81. "Indiana lost a favorite son”

Jim Morris, a pivotal figure in central Indiana’s business and civic communities for over 60 years, passed away on Friday night at the age of 81.

Pacers officials announced the news Saturday morning. Morris was vice chairman of Pacers Sports & Entertainment.

“There are no words that would do justice to how consequential Jim’s life truly was,” Pacers owner Herbert Simon said in a statement.  “To his very last day, he was hard at work bringing people together to help those most in need and make our city and our state stronger, more civil, and more united.”

During his six years as chief of staff for Indianapolis Mayor Richard Lugar from 1967 to 1973, Morris played a role in the implementation of Unigov. Morris would later have a role in shaping higher education, development and the culture of Indianapolis.

During a speech in 2009, Morris said Indiana cities won’t succeed if they lack a sense of community and opportunity for everyone.

“We have no chance if we don't have some sense of unity, some sense of community,” he told The Economic Club of Indiana. “That if we don't work hard at being inclusive, at reaching out, and seeing that everybody is a part of a discussion and the opportunity.

“Indianapolis, if it has done anything, right, it's been the decision to build all of its physical civic assets downtown.”

Tributes from Indianapolis leaders and beyond described Morris as a global ambassador and tireless advocate for the city and Indiana. Morris was also remembered as “larger-than-life” who directly impacted people and organizations through his expertise and passion.

Morris served in numerous civic and humanitarian organizations over his long career and has received awards ranging from Indiana’s Sachem award to the Presidential Lifetime Achievement award, which he received from President Barack Obama in 2016.

A graduate of Indiana University with a Master's from Butler, Morris began his career with American Fletcher National Bank in 1965. He next served as the chief of staff for former Indianapolis Mayor Lugar.

The Terre Haute native would then spend his next thirty-odd years between the Lilly Endowment and as chairman and CEO of IWC Resource Corporation and Indianapolis Water Company.

From there, Morris devoted himself to humanitarian issues — working on the United Nations World Food Programme including as the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for the humanitarian crisis in Southern Africa. There, Morris led the largest food operation in the Programme’s history - bringing food to some 26 million Iraqis following the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

Morris joined the Pacers Sports and Entertainment in 2007.

Indiana leaders offered their condolences to the Morris family over the weekend, remarking on Jim’s roughly 60-year career.

"Indiana lost a favorite son and true servant leader,” Gov.Eric Holcomb said in a statement. “Jim Morris, the quintessential Hoosier, didn’t just preach of the blessings of his faith, family, friends, and vocation, he brought fullness to them all.”

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett highlighted Morris’ outsized impact on the city.

“Last night, Indianapolis lost a true giant with the passing of my dear friend Jim Morris,” he said. “He helped to establish the Indiana Sports Corp, shaping the sports strategy that laid the foundation for our recent record-breaking successes as a host city. He raised funds for pivotal projects like the Indianapolis Zoo and the Hoosier Dome.”

Condolences continued to be issued to Morris’ wife Jackie and their family early Saturday.

Contact WFYI health reporter Ben Thorp at bthorp@wfyi.org.