Marion Wendell Morrisset, 98, of Channel Islands Harbor, Oxnard, passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 30. 2024 in Ventura, CA
Wendell, the oldest of three brothers, was born in Lubbock, Texas where he loved working on his grandfather’s ranch. He attended Miami University, Ohio where he graduated with a BS in Business and upon graduation was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the US Marine Corps. He married his college sweetheart Jeanne Tomlinson and over the next 10 years, he worked his way up to Marine Corp Captain, serving in WWII and the Korean War. After his military service, he entered the field of commercial banking as an officer of Wall Street’s Irving Trust Company in New York. While working there, he earned his MBA degree from New York University Graduate School of Business.
Seeking a more favorable climate to raise his family, he decided to relocate to Southern California. After a very successful career in banking, he joined forces with Martin V “Bud” Smith, (a major real estate developer in Oxnard) as his Financial Vice President. This opportunity led him to Channel Islands Harbor, where he fell in love with the beauty and lifestyle of Mandalay Bay, his home for 55 years. Wendell and Jeanne became real estate brokers and formed “Seashore Realty”. They were a dynamic team working together, he on the commercial side and Jeanne on the residential. Wendell and Jeanne loved boating and traveling. They owned several boats throughout their lifetime, all of which were named “Sea Star”. They spent several months each year in their second homes in Palm Desert and Hawaii. They loved going on cruises and traveling with family and friends.
Wendell was Commodore of Channel Island Yacht Club in 1977, President of the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce in 1987, Trustee of the Oxnard Presbyterian Church, and a very active member of Channel Islands Rotary and Navy League.
Wendell is survived by his son John Morrisset (Christine) of Valencia, his daughter Cindy Daggett (Dann) of Mandalay Bay, five grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 61 years Jeanne Morrisset, his son Richard Morrisset and his two younger brothers Leslie Morrisset and John Morrisset.
Wendell was a kind and mighty individual who instilled a strong and moral work ethic in his children by example. All three of his children graduated from USC and had very successful careers in accounting, law, banking and the military. He was a charming man who loved socializing and left a lasting impression on everyone he met. He was passionate about reading, had an amazing breadth of knowledge and his memory was impeccable. And boy, did he love his morning coffee as he poured over several newspapers before starting his day! He was also very good with his hands and was constantly tinkering with, fixing, and building things around his house, his real estate properties, and on his boats. He lived a long and full life.
Family and friends are invited to funeral services to be held on Monday, June 17, 2024, at the BOYKO & REARDON TELEGRAPH ROAD MORTUARY & CREMATION, 15 Teloma Drive, Ventura, CA. Viewing will be held at 11:00 AM and the service will begin at 12:00 PM. After the service, there will be a procession to Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, 5400 Valentine Road in Ventura for Wendell’s burial. A “Celebration of Life” will be held at the Channel Islands Yacht Club at a later date.