Fuquay-Varina - Morris S. Miner went home to be with his Lord Jesus on Sunday, July 22, 2012. Memorial service will be held on Wednesday, July 25, at 2 p.m. at Thomas Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will be from 1 - 2 p.m., one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Wake Chapel Memorial Gardens.
He was born in Blackwater, Virginia on July 21, 1933 and grew up in Elizabethton, Tennessee. Upon graduation from Unaka High School in 1951, he joined the United States Navy. He served five years on active duty as a hospital corpsman during the Korean War, and an additional three years on inactive duty. Upon leaving the military Morris entered college in 1957 at Samford University graduating in 1960 with a BS in Chemistry. He continued his studies in graduate school at the University of Alabama. From 1960 to 1962, he worked for Warner Chilcott Pharmaceutical Company as a salesman covering the states of Louisiana and Mississippi. From 1963 to 1967, Miner owned and operated construction, real estate, and insurance companies in Eastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina.
In 1968 Morris joined Beaunit Corporation starting his long and distinguished career in the textile industry. In 1969 he moved his family to Anderson, S.C., and joined Dow Badische. It was there where Miner’s career took off in the textile industry as a young executive. He served as the superintendent of several departments including head of laboratories and the polymerization unit. Morris spearheaded the development of several unique manufacturing processes used in the man-made fiber industry. His accomplishments were noticed and in 1976 he moved his family to Fuquay-Varina to become plant manager of Universal Polymer Products Corporation. During the next twelve years Morris would serve as the plant manager and general manager for several companies including Universal Polymer Products Corporation, Falk Fibers and Fabrics Inc., Hanover Mills, and others. In 1988 Morris co-founded and co-owned Warp Technologies Corporation in Holly Springs. Miner’s company was a privately held manufacturer of man-made fibers. He successfully sold his interest in the company in 1998 and upon selling his company, Miner continued his business activities as a private investor in several startup enterprises.
In addition to his professional career, Miner had a diverse interest in several areas; history, genealogy, college football and basketball sports. Morris was a member of the Fuquay-Varina Baptist Church.
Morris is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 59 years, Shirley Asher Miner, married on July 1, 1953. He is also survived by his two sons, former State Representative David Miner of Cary; and Michael Miner of Fuquay-Varina. Other survivors include brother, Charles Miner and his wife Barbara of Johnson City, TN; sister-in-law Gladys Bowers of Elizabethton, TN; nephews, Tim Asher of Johnson City, TN; Jody Bowers of Richmond, VA; nieces, Teri Freeman, Whitney Bowers, Whitney Bolton.
In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions to Hospice of Wake County, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607. The family wishes to express their deepest appreciation for the caring and loving support of Hospice of Wake County.
Condolences may be left at www.thomasfuneral.com.
Post a Comment
