Link to Memorial Information

Clifton Ray Morton (Clif, Kip), age 73, of New London, passed away unexpectedly on January 25th. Clif is profoundly missed and will always be remembered.

Clif was born on December 31st in 1948 to Wally and Gladys Morton. After graduating from high school, he went on to study political science at UW-Platteville.  In college, he married his high school sweetheart, Connie.  After graduation, he served two years in the Army during the VietNam War, while his first daughter Tracy was born.   Connie and Clif both started careers as educators raising their family in the Northeast Wisconsin area.  Whether it was taking the family on vacation or launching another massive DIY building project, he always had a sense of adventure and loved a challenge.  As a husband, father and grandfather he provided bountiful love, guidance, and support to his family, as well as a good splash of well-timed goofiness and sense of humor.   With Connie, they built a family that persevered through painful loss and extended their love and support as parents to children through the foster care program. Through his actions and attitude, he taught others to not shy away from what's complicated, but dive in and sort it out. And that at the convergence of creativity and challenge is truly where the adventure lies.  Whether he was traveling, at home, or at the cabin he built, Clif had a special connection to nature that he shared with his family and also treasured in moments of peaceful enjoyment alone.  Through his core of being that was so good, humble, and optimistic, he showed others to commit to love, build dreams, choose adventure, research answers, speak up, honor dignity for all human beings, and keep growing–both spiritually and in the pursuit of knowledge.

Clif was a dedicated social studies teacher in the Hortonville School District for thirty years. He enjoyed challenging students to think critically, share their voice and succeed.  Clif always went above and beyond the school day, both in creating engaging and challenging classroom experiences and in extracurriculars as a forensics and debate coach.  Clif even got his CDL to drive a bus so that the program could afford to give students the best experience possible and took students to national competitions so they could rise to the best of their abilities. With his profound energy and passion, he led his forensics and debate teams to many championships while encouraging and celebrating each individual student.  The best part of Clif's service is how much he absolutely loved providing these experiences for youth, and how so many students were impacted by his energy and joy in the process.  Some of the recognition and awards Clif received include: Outstanding Human Relations Educator, National Forensics League Diamond Key Award, Wisconsin Indian Education Association Friend of Indian Education Award, Wisconsin Debate Coaches Association Coach of the Year and Wisconsin Hall of Fame Awards in Forensics and Debate.  But above all accomplishments, he always wanted to remind everyone that loving family comes first.

After retiring from K-12 education in 2004, he wasn't done helping others. Clif worked at CAP Services in Waupaca in a program supporting at-risk young adults in getting their high school diploma (or equivalency) and developing employability skills.   Next, he became an associate professor at UW Oshkosh supporting pre-service teachers.  Driven by his passion for social and political justice, Clif also authored a book about the war in Iraq titled "The Third Awakening" and served as President of the Waupaca County Democratic Party. Clif had a deep faith in God and was an active member of First Congregational United Christ of Christ.  A couple of his joys were leading the children's moment and singing in the choir.  No matter what he was engaged in, Clif was a tireless seeker, teacher, and advocate of truth, peace, and justice for all people.

Clif was preceded in death by his mother and father Wally and Gladys Morton, his daughter Tracy, brother James Morton and brothers-in-law James Tietje and Gerhardt Messer.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Connie, daughters Kelly Koller and Katie Morton, son-in-law Allen Koller, grandchildren Chloe and Kyle Koller, brothers Wally Morton Jr. and Fernando Ponce, sisters Carolyn Tietje and Marilyn Pope, sisters-in-law Carolyn Messer and Janet Habeck and brothers-in-law Jim Habeck, Charles Pope, Curt Holderman and his partner Miguel Bobadilla. Nephews and nieces: Bob, Jim, John, Lisa, Michelle, Jason, Shawn, Shane, Heather, Josh, Keith, Erin, Michael, and Priscilla. Clif is also survived by many dear friends.

There will be no funeral service at this time, a graveside service will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established.

Clif's family is deeply grateful for the love and support from family and friends during this difficult time.  He lived his love.   While a piece of our love goes with him, we all have more to give because of the love he brought into the world.  May we all find solace in a poem he read aloud at his mother's graveside service, Miss Me, But Let Me Go.

Memorials in Clif's name can be sent to PO BOX 119 New London, WI 54961

Miss Me, But Let Me Go

By Christina Georgina Rossetti

With adaptations by Clif Morton

When I come to the end of the road

And the sun has set for me

I want no rites in a gloom-filled room

Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little but not too long

And not with your head bowed low

Remember the love that we once shared

Miss me-but let me go

For this is a journey that we all must take

And each must go alone.

It's all part of the Master's plan

A step on the road to home

When you are lonely and sick of heart

Go to the friends and family we know

And set aside your sorrows

Everyday do good deeds and love unconditionally

Miss me but let me go.