Michael Morey
December 7, 1942 ~ September 9, 2018
Michael Scott Morey, age 75, died Sunday, September 9, 2018 in Fargo, North Dakota surrounded by loving family. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, and mentor to thousands of students, Mike passed away from complications of dementia. Born December 7, 1942 (Northwood, ND) to June Martha Bjertness Morey and Gilbert Austin Morey, Mike lived with his mother in Hatton, ND until his father was discharged from WWII in 1945; the family lived in many small towns throughout ND and MT during his childhood. Mike graduated from high school in Regent, ND. He received a BS in Music Education from Dickinson State College in 1964 and pursued his career in several ND towns, including Regent, Beulah, New England, Watford City, Hettinger, and Enderlin.
Mike married Charlotte Ann Hartman on June 19, 1971 in New England, ND. Their life together centered around music and their families. He had a wide-eyed curiosity about all things, but especially enjoyed golf, birding, and anything involving his family.
Preceded in death by his parents, Mike is survived by his devoted wife Charlotte Morey of Fargo, ND; son Christopher (Jaime) Morey and grandson Ike Morey of Irving, TX; daughter Melissa Morey (Nicholas Ellison) of Minneapolis, MN; brother Bruce (Martha) Morey of Billings, MT; sister Toni (Richard) Smith of Bismarck, ND; and sister Jaci Walsh of Salina, KS; as well as 5 nieces and 2 nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, September 13, 2018 at 2:00 pm (visitation an hour prior) at Boulger Funeral Home (Fargo).
Donations can be made to a charity of choice, or to the Alzheimer’s Association.
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Sending all my love to your wonderful family. Mike was a legend- there is no other way to put it. May his spirit, talent, and kindness live on in all of you!!!
~Kelly Perkins
My sincerest sympathy to your family. Such a wonderful life and legacy he left.
Mike was an amazing music instructor. When my son was in first grade, he came home from school and told me, “there’s this guy that snaps his finger to the music! He makes music fun!” I will never forget the impression that made. Also I served on our church board with Mike. He helped me see both sides of a disagreement without anger! Thoughts and prayers to Charlotte, Chris, Melissa and their families.
Dear Charlotte and Melissa, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved husband and father. I’m sending you love and peace from Ohio.
I’m so sorry about Mr. Morey. He was an excellent teacher and he taught me all about how to march in Cowboy Band. I will remember the good times. Love, Jill
Mike and I had the privilege of attending DSU during the Duane Nelson era. Many good people.
Nels Olson
Our deepest sympathy to Charlotte, Chris, Melissa and family. Mike was a great mentor to so many in the music field. We are sad to hear of his passing. Embrace the beautiful memories!
I still remember Mike walking into my first grade classroom (1980). I was a bit nervous as he was so tall but he sure made learning about music fun. I had the privilege to have Mike assist me in picking my instrument in 6th grade – flute. He then gave me private bass guitar lessons when I was in junior high. My sophomore year was when I got my piccolo and he was very excited! He was an awesome band instructor – taught us to march, play pep band music and learn to play other types of music – even though he would get into directing and his baton would go flying at us flutes. He was a great director for the Hettinger Cowboy Band. We probably didn’t march right but we had fun. There are so many memories of Mike – calling him and telling him I was first flute first chair at International Music Camp, Little Shop of Horrors pit band, jazz band, preparing us for music festivals, hugs when we starred at music festivals and the list goes on. It is an honor to be able to say I was one of his students. Thanks for making music fun Iron Mike! Rest in peace.
Mr. Morey meant so much to me and taught me to really appreciate music. I think of him so often when I play my flute or sing along to the radio. My thoughts and prayers are with Charlotte their children.
Charlotte….I was so sorry to learn of Mike’s death. I have many fond memories of our time together teaching in Watford City, and lots of memories of visiting with you. Please know that I am thinking of you today. Nancy Wisness
Deepest sympathies! Will always remember him as one of the best music teachers I ever had. This was in New England High school.
Charlotte and Melissa and Chris and families,
Bob and I send our deepest sympathy to you as you mourn the loss of Mike. We were so privileged to have the Morey family in our little community and of course we grew to love you. Mike was quiet but when he spoke it was always with such sincerity and conviction . He lived his life with passion and our lives were better because of it.
May the love of friends and family give you comfort and strength. Pat and Bob
I am saddened to hear of Mr.Morey’s passing! He was one the best teachers I had at NEHS, UND and DICKINSON STATE. Our bands at NEHS improved daily under his leadership. R.I.P. MR. MOREY. My deepest sympathies to the family.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Morey family!!
Charlotte and family,
Deepest sympathies to you, Charlotte, and all of your family. I have fond memories of the DSU music department and Mike. You and Mike made a great music education team and inspired countless numbers of students.
Our thoughts and prayers to the Morey Family.
My deepest sympathy to Charlotte and family! Mr Morey was the best music teacher in the country! I thank him daily for my love of music. Prayers and hugs! May Jesus hold you all in his hand granting you comfort and peace! 🙏✝️
Sincerely, Diane Urlacher
Charlotte,
So very sorry to hear of Mike’s passing.
I have fond memories of the years we taught together in Hettinger. I remember attending the band and ensemble contests and feeling so proud of our
entries. Thanks to you and Mike!!
My thoughts are with you and your family during this sad time in your life.
Condolences to his family and all who shared his life. Mike was well known and liked very much in the Regent area. May he now Rest In Peace.
Charlotte & family, you are in my thoughts & prayers to day & always. I will always remember Mike’s smile, he lit up a room whenever he can in. Mike’s great love for his family & music was immeasurably. Pamela J. Harper (Miss Albert )
My memories of Mike come flooding! Mike, the musician, Mike a fellow Jaycee, and most of all, Mike, a friend. We had some wonderful times together! I was one of those who voted against you moving away from New England and Hettinger, and going all the way to Fargo! I’m grateful for the times we were able to get together.
Hugs to you, Charlotte, Melissa, and Chris.
Mr. Morey was my first music teacher when he taught at Regent. I loved being in his class because he really knew how to make music fun. Sincere condolences to his family.
Charlotte, Chris and Melissa – thank you for sharing Mike with those of us lucky enough to know him. He inspired and supported so many. He has left this world brighter and all of us better for knowing him. My deepest sympathy to your family.
I have so many fabulous memories of having him as a band and choir teacher. He taught me to play the Alto Sax and love it & love music. One memory I want to share is the day we were in band class & we were interrupted over the PA system with new the space shuttle had blew up just after take off. He was so upset he had us put our instruments away & just sit quietly. His emotion was real & raw. It is something I will never for get. Seeing someone you look up to so shaken, made it even more impactful that this space tragedy, was a really big deal. May God bless him, may God shine is perpetual light upon him and grant him eternal peace. Enjoy the music of the Angels 🙏🙏🙏
My heartfelt sympathies to Charlotte, Chris and Melissa and your families. Mike blessed so many with his knowledge and talent and love of music that he will always be remembered
The heavens gained a wonderful and beautiful mentor and musician this week.
Thoughts and prayers to Charlotte, Chris and Melissa.
May you rejoice in the celebration of his life!
Tanya (Schalesky) Russiff
I’m so saddened to hear of the loss of Mr Morey. Prayers go out to Charlotte and the family. He was the best ” music man, i ever had, his passion was contagious, he set the bar high for excellence and worked hard to help students achieve this. Visions stamped in my memory are of him conducting and marching. Thank you for so many wonderful memories of both choir and band, and our tours that he organized for us to gain experience and broaden our horizons. ❤
Amazing man! I consider myself so extremely lucking that I had the opportunity to learn from him and see his incredible talent first hand. Sending prayers, love and hugs to his family.
Charlotte, family and siblings of Mike. Am so sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. Pauline had mentioned this summer that he was sick. Mike and I were classmates for some of the classes, as he was a year ahead of me. He was a quiet person but fun to be around. His Dad was my music teacher and I really enjoyed being in band and choir. Prayers are being said for all. Phyllis and Walt Cave
Thank you for all the beautiful music. May the peace of Christ be with you during this difficult time.
Dear Charlotte and family,
I opened up The Dickinson Press this morning, and saw Mike’s obituary. It is not easy dealing with dementia. My father passed away from it in 1999. I remember when I first started in Regent, and needed to drive to Hettinger to see him. It was during band time, and they were practicing Pep Band music. I was totally amazed that he would take time to talk to me during Band time. He told the students to continue practicing, and for one of the drummers to be in charge of practicing the Pep Band music. And they did without chaos!
We music teachers in western ND felt the loss when the opportunity opened up for both of you to teach in the eastern part of the state. I also remember how proud he was when you received the NDMENC Teacher of the Year award at convention. Together, the two of you were a wonderful musical team.
My prayers and sympathy for your family during this time, and all of the adjustments that are a result of his passing.
Charlotte and all,
John and I are saddened by the news of Mikes’ passing. I hope you find peace and comfort knowing that friends are praying for you all.
Gods Blessings.
John and Jill Power
Sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. I have known Mike since high school and appreciate the work he did for music education in ND. My blessings to the family.
We send our love and sympathy to Charlotte, Chris, Melissa, and your families. All of you have been a part of our family for the last 37 years. So many memories of Mike as an educator, musician, leader, role model for students, and as our dear friend. Be at peace now with all of your memories and know that Mike is no longer struggling.
Sorry to hear about his passing. Thoughts and prayers
Our Sympathy, prayers & healing to the family. As a high school classmate, I can remember Mike as a teammate on the “Mighty, Mighty Ranger’s” 1960 basketball team & some of the upsets we pulled off against some better teams in the Distrct!! Some day we’ll be together again!!
Chris, Melissa, and Charlotte,
Iron Mike had a profound influence on my life, and indirectly on my children’s life, through instilling a love of music in me (but it also took Charlotte fostering that love through painful piano lessons!). I truly cherish the time I had with him in the band room, but also in your house, the golf course, and every where else we traveled to. The examples of how music has shaped my life and brought me to where I am today are too many to list (butterfly effect!), but I still reap the benefits of his influence every day. I still remember vividly him telling me “you may not be the best trombone player, but if you can play bass trombone you will always have a gig”. You have no idea how that one statement changed my life. It is a reminder to all of us what an influence teachers and mentors can be. I hope I can influence at least one person in my life the way Mike influenced me. We are thinking of you and hope to see you soon.
So sorry to hear of his passing . He was an important person in my life with Wade. He brought us together by encouraging him too ask me to the prom. He was my music teacher and was excellent in what he did. He will be missed
I am sorry for your loss, this world has lost a little of its shine with Mike Moreys passing. He had the ability to pass his love of music to so many people, and influenced and touched so many lives, truly a legend. My children whom never met him have heard so many of my cherished stories about him. May he rest in peace and know so many loved him.
Samantha Uhrig (Robertson)
Hi Charlotte: I was saddened to read of Mike’s passing but then thought of the good times we all shared when he was here at New England Public. My condolences.
I’m so sad to hear of Mike’s passing. He was an inspiration to me while he was a student at DSC and I was still in HS at Dickinson Central High School. I met Mike through Duane Nelson, DSC band director, with whom I had private trombone lessons. Mike was a great baritone player ! Later we were were colleagues at various ND music festivals and contests and taught low brass together at the Saskatchewan Summer School of the Arts at Fort Que’Apple. We had some good times golfing there too.
Charlotte and I were at DSC as Music Majors at about the same time. I’m so sorry, Charlotte. I think you have met my sister, Karla, in the Fargo-Moorhead area. My thoughts are with you and your family.
May happy memories comfort you during this time. Mike was beloved by his students and will live on in the music of their lives.
Dear Charlotte,
I am thinking tonight of all the evenings when Matt was in high school, and would not be home yet close to supper time. I could look out our kitchen window and see the band room lights on. I’d know that he and Mr. Morey were playing trombone and solving world problems.
So many lives he touched. Be assured that it is remembered and appreciated.
My Sincere Condolences to Charlotte and all the Morey family. Mike instilled the love of music to me as a student at Regent High school. I have so many fond memories of band and the gift of music Mike shared with us all. He was a kind and gentle soul and will be sadly missed. Our prayers go out to you in this time of loss. With such a lived passion and rhythm of love for life – his legacy so well taught, his music lives on in the hearts of those who love him. Thank You ! for so very much R.I.P.
Condolences to your family from the Kringen’s. I remember the day that Mike joined our staff in Enderlin and the positive impact he made in the lives of our students. Our program was in disarray and he did a tremendous job in righting the ship and setting the stage for the next person. He was the epitome of a music educator and will be missed.
Gone but never forgotten. . . He touched so many lives. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
All my love to you, Charlotte, Chris & Melissa. Your entire family has had a profound impact on thousands of people. Most of us from Hettinger don’t remember a time without The Moreys. You were instrumental in our lives – shaping our character, interests, & talents. So many good memories from school, music lessons, your home and more. We are all holding you up in prayer during this difficult time. With love, Kim Schauer Rossow
I will always remember Mr. Morey as a great teacher and for his love of music! His dedication and commitment will always be remembered.
RIP Mr. Morey. You did always get the most out of us (even a baritone saxophone player). Thanks for molding us into great individuals. I’m sure you will continue to make great music in Heaven. Thoughts and prayers with the family.
Saddened to hear of Mr. Morey passing. Have thought of him many times over the years and how me made music fun and such a passion to many of his students. He was the best music teach ever!! Sure many of his former students feel the same. I will always remember my band and choir days in New England. My love of music to this day stems from Mr Morey. I am sure he is in heaven directing some choir or band right now. Prayers to his family.
Dear Morey family,
I’m so sorry that you’ve had to say goodbye to your beloved Mike. He had a very peaceful ending leading to a new beginning for him with no sickness. He was surrounded with much love.
Thank you for the kind words. I had to work the day of his service but thank you for wanting to include us.
May you find peace and comfort in your memories.
Loving thoughts to you all.
Cheryl Brant RN
Sincere condolences to your family and to all the many people who were touched by Mike’s life. He was an educator with high expectations for his students, and he helped them meet those expectations thoughtfully and gently. Working with Mike in Enderlin was a joy and an honor.
I send my deepest sympathy Charlotte, and all of your family. I lost Betty Ann with dementia in January and both are in a better place and acting as our angels. Mike was a leader in music and touched a lot of lives.
Charolette and Family,
I was saddened to learn of Mike’s death and am so very sorry for all you and he have suffered. I am sure that your loss is great but hope that you will find comfort in the many good times and memories you shared through the years.
I enjoyed our social friendship during the time we all lived in Hettinger.
I pray that God will be especially near during the days and months ahead. God Bless and keep you all.
Jan Goetz
Charlotte, my sympathy to you and your family. My brother, Jack, always spoke highly of Mike and his musical talent and teaching. You and I met some years back, and you were so helpful to me. May grace and loving memory sustain you. Sincerely, Karla Smart-Morstad
Charlotte and family: I just heard the news about Mike. I am so very sorry. I’m so grateful for having the privilege of being part of the Morey music legacy. Mike was one in a million and will be missed. Hugs to you all ❤️