Joseph Anthony Marrow
Born on this Earth: January 20, 2005 AD
Born into Eternity: April 21, 2020 AD
VENETA, OREGON -
Joseph Anthony Morrow was the beloved grandson of Ella Jane Wofford-Petty ("Jane") from Senath, MO. Jane moved to Veneta, Oregon in March of 2003 to help her daughter, Lisa Morrow and son-inlaw, Bill, start and run their automotive repair business. She stayed to help them raise their son, Joseph, and became a treasured member of their family. Bill, Lisa and Joseph were still grieving "Gramma Jane's" passing when Joseph suddenly slipped into eternity 42 days later. At the time of this writing, Bill's mother, Sofia Morrow (97) of Dallas, Texas, was not doing well either.
Entering this world on January 20, 2005 in Eugene, Oregon with spina bifida (a very complex birth defect), Joseph Anthony Morrow was born to a very brave mother in an extremely difficult situation. In choosing to give life to her son, Joseph's birth mother gifted the world with a "pearl of great price": a child with a cheerful and loving heart.
Placed with his adoptive parents, Bill and Lisa Morrow, at 4 months of age, God exceeded Joseph's adoptive mother's dream of being a mother, a stay-at-home mom and a homeschool mom by blessing her with this "angel in the flesh". Looking and acting just like his adoptive father, Joseph's adoptive parents' "cups ranneth over". Joseph was a sublime treasure.
As a child with disabilities, Joseph saw many doctors, specialists, and therapists over the years, all of whom fell in love with his bubbly personality. He was a delight to work with. Joseph never gave up, despite his many challenges. He faced life joyfully.
Being a homeschooler, Joseph had the privilege of attending several online schools: Scholé Academy at scholeacademy.com; Veritas Scholars Academy at veritaspress.com; Queen of All Saints Academy at qasonline.org; and Outschool at outschool.com. Through these academies, Joseph was blessed with multiple outstanding, top-quality teachers and numerous good friends. His horizons were broadened with friends and acquaintances throughout the world.
Joseph treasured his Catholic Faith. He greatly desired to be a priest and champion for Christ, deeply revering the account of the Battle of Lepanto where the Crusaders entered the fray with a sword in one hand and a rosary in the other. Joseph created his own Crusader costume by putting gorilla tape crosses on the front and back of a motorcycle turtle shell vest, creating a shield out of cardboard and gorilla tape, and persuading his dad to purchase for him two practice swords, one of which he affixed to his waist with a plastic linked chain while the other he stowed on the back of his wheelchair, ever ready and waiting to be drawn against the foes of Christ and to rescue damsels in distress.

Required reading in school, Joseph fell in love with J. R. R. Tolkien's books, "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings". Perceiving them as an extension of the crusades after reading Joseph Pearce's books "Bilbo's Journey: Discovering the Hidden Meaning of The Hobbit" and "Frodo's Journey: Discovering the Hidden Meaning of The Lord of the Rings", Joseph had a passion for all things "Tolkien". Adoring the songs "Into the West" and "The Last Goodbye" (especially the versions sung by Peter Hollens), Sister Mary Magdalene of Queen of All Saints Academy Online was teaching Joseph to perform them on the violin. His was a fiddling and crooning crusader's heart. 
Being of Native American ancestry from the Oregon tribes of Klamath and Grand Ronde (3/8 Klamath; 1/8 Grand Ronde), Joseph's was a true warrior's heart. Observing this aspect in him as well as his ardent love for Christ, Joseph was given the Chickasaw name of Heloa (he-loh-ah: Thunder) Tonochi (toh-noh-che: Rolling) (i.e. Rolling Thunder) by a tomahawk-throwing champion of the Chickasaw Nation named Curtis Courtney. Joseph's was a chukush (choonk-ush: heart) tushka (tush-kah: warrior) Chitokaka (Che-toh-kahkah: Christ) (i.e. a Warrior's Heart for Christ).
Joseph left this world suddenly and unexpectedly on April 21, 2020 AD. Still not determined at this writing, the affliction which caused him to enter eternity was stated to not be directly related to Joseph's birth defects. Christ must have ardently desired such a fierce and loyal soldier of His in order to take Joseph at such a young age. Well-loved by everyone he met, Joseph will be greatly missed, leaving behind an especially large hole in his parents' hearts who cherished him for 15 years.
Remaining in this "valley of tears" are Joseph's parents: Bill and Lisa Morrow of Veneta, Oregon; priests: Fr. Stephen Stanich, Fr. Adam Portugal, Fr. Gregory Post who so kindly gave Joseph a king's funeral – a solemn High Funeral Mass at SSPX St. Thomas Becket Church in Veneta, Oregon; Godparents: John and Dorthea Sullivan of Veneta, Oregon; Same-As-Family Friends: Ed and Diana Waggoner of Sandpoint, Idaho and their 14 children, all of whom considered Joseph to be their son and brother; aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, doctors, therapists, teachers and tutors whose names are all too numerous to list. Each considers himself exceptionally blessed for having encountered this precious gem gifted to the world for 15 years: Joseph Anthony Morrow.
Requiéscat in pace. May he rest in peace. Amen. 