John “Hop” J. Morton, age 71, of Hickory, NC, passed away Sunday, December 30, 2018, at Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC, after a period of declining health. Born September 3, 1947, in Stanly County, NC, he was the son of the late John Maxwell Morton and Lillie Florence Efird Morton.
“Hop” (a nickname given to him as a young man based on the movie character Hopalong Cassidy) was a veteran of the US Navy. He enjoyed hunting and working with hunting dogs, fishing, working on tractor and lawn mower engines, and attending and setting up as a vendor at local flea markets.
In addition to his parents, “Hop” was preceded in death by a sister, Florence M. Morgan.
Survivors include his sisters, Bertha “Bea” M. Isenhour and husband, Steve, of Hickory, NC, and Deborah M. Hutchinson and husband, Lewis, of Albemarle, NC; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service for family and friends will be held at a later date.
Condolences may be sent to the Morton family at www.drumfh-hickory. com.
The Morton family has entrusted funeral arrangements to Drum Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Hickory, NC.