Mixsonian Larry Morris Barbara

Morris Darlington and Barbara Junior Mixson


Morris Mixson & FamilyMy parents, Morris Darlington Mixson and Barbara Junior Mixson
1967
David, Larry, Brenda and Beth in Front

Morris Darlington Mixson, the son of Wilbur and Roslie Mixson, was born on August 24, 1926 in Micanopy Florida, died August 15, 2020 in Gainesville Florida.   Morris married Barbara Junior on December 1, 1950.   Barbara is the daughter of Fred and Waive Junior.  They have four children: Brenda Gay, Larry Morris, David Fred and Beth Sue

As a child, Morris attend  Reddick High school and at the age of 83 still attend yearly Reddick reunions.   In 1944, Morris turned 18 and joined the Navy before graduating from high school.  In the Navy Morris served on the USS Montgomery (LST-1041) while it traveled to Guam, Okinawa and other places until the war ended when the ship, and Morris, returned to the US (see full story here).  

After returning from the war, he met  Barbara Junior in 1948 at Flemington Baptist church where Barbara's Father, Fred Junior, was the minister.  Their love for each other grew over the next two years described their Love Letters.

Morris worked at the University of Florida Chemistry Department from 1948 until he retired forty one years later inBarbara with Sally Field 1989.  (Listen to Morris as he talks about his experience here) After the children were older in 1964, Barbara also started to work at the University working her way up with her final years as the head administrative assistant in the Physics department retiring with Morris in 1989 (read more in Barbara's journal).   One of Barbara's most memorable moments at was having her photo taken with Sally Field who was visiting her brother who was a professor in the department.

Morris and Barbara loved to travel.   For summer vacations the family would travel to the beach, go camping or go to the mountains in North Carolina for a week.  After the kids were all grown and out of the house, Morris and Barbara had a series of RVs ranging in size from camper van to full blown RV.   After many years of travels though out the US they did extended 88 day adventure from Florida to Alaska and back (see Barbara & Morris's Trip to Alaska).  

Morris Mixson & FamilyFort Tatham Community Room

After the "Big" trip they didn't use the RV as much and a few years later sold it and bought a small permanent mobile home at Fort Tatham RV Resort just outside of Ashville North Carolina where they would spend the summer months to escape the heat of Florida.  Fort Tatham was filled with mostly a permanent group of retired couples who all had been going there every summer for years and all were good friends and always doing things together. 

Morris Mixson & FamilyMorris and Barbara in front of their Fort Tatham home
2006

A number of summers I traveled from my home in Virginia to visit them.   We did many things together going to the farmers market, going shopping and several times driving up the Blue Ridge Parkway to eat at one of Mom's favorite places,  Mount Pisgah.   One thing I most enjoyed was going to the community room after dinner to play cards with all the old folks. 

As they grew older it became to much for the to drive to North Carolina so they sold their home there in 2007.   They lived in their home in Gainesville Florida where the family would often gather for dinner, birthdays or most any ocasion. 

Morris & Barbara Mixson & FamilyBarbara and Morris at their 60th Wedding Anniversary
Children Beth, Larry, David and Brenda



In 2010 Barbara and Morris celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a gathering of family and friends. 

Barbara's health slowly declined due to Parkinson's and she passed away in  March of 2013. 

Morris passed away at the age of 93 on August 15, 2020.

Barbara's Trip Logs

1969 - Trip to Wyoming
1973 - Trip out West
1975 - North Carolina
1976 - Barbara Charlotte, Nigrara Falls, Michigan
1978 - North Carolina
1979 - North Carolina
1981 - Vacation in Austria
1982 - Seattle, Canada, Michigan
1986 - Nova Scotia
1987 - Trip out West
1989 - Visit to see Larry in Reston
1989 - Austria
1990 - 1992 - Various trips
1991 - Trip to Michigan
1994 - Alaska
1999-2004 - Various trips
2004-2007 - Various Trips

(Those in white not yet online)

Updated:  03-16-2024