Ryne Craig William Morra

Visitation: Thursday, September 23, 2021, 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M., Peterson Mortuary, 212 S. Locust Street, Glenwood, Iowa.

Graveside Services with Military Honors: Thursday, September 23, 2021, 11:30 A.M., Silver City Cemetery, 53998 285th Street, Silver City, Iowa.

Ryne Craig William Morra, born – December 10, 1992, son of Michael and Frances (Clipson) Morra of Stratford, Connecticut passed tragically Friday, September 10, 2021.

Ryne leaves to mourn his passing, his parents, Michael and Frances Morra, sisters Stephanie Morra and her fiancé Kellen Rouff, Megan Studwell and her husband Cody Studwell, and Michele Morra.

Additionally, he leaves his Uncle Craig Clipson and his wife Peggy, his great Aunt Ella Schlagenhauff, his great Aunt and Uncle Donna and Jack Fisher, his great Aunt Helen DiSpirito, many cherished cousins, friends, Church family, Navy family, and his Final Gift family.

Ryne was preceded by his maternal grandparents Richard William and Gelena Elaine Clipson, his Uncle Richard (Rick) Clipson, his paternal grandparents Michael Joseph and Antoinette (Toni) Morra, his great-uncles Joseph DiSpirito and Conrad Schlagenhauff, and his beloved cousin Barry Rue.

Ryne was always the kid on the go. He loved life and loved pestering his sisters. He learned much at his grandpa’s side, was spoiled dearly by his grandmother, and was probably one of the few kids in elementary school who preferred non-fiction books. He loved to read!

In high school, Ryne was a musician in the Marching Band, going on several trips with them while playing the trumpet. He was also a member of the Rifle Team. Among his favorite times in school, though, was in A.P. science where he learned to care for animals.

Additionally, he excelled in and completely loved his training in EMS, eventually joining the Stratford EMS Explorer program. He grew even more proficient in that area and passed his Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification test.

Following high school graduation, Ryne followed in his sister Megan’s footsteps and headed to Berry College in Rome, Georgia. While at Berry he learned to drive a stick-shift using the grounds keeping truck (it might have been nice had he already had his driver’s license at the time, but he didn’t!). He also went white water rafting and cave crawling, rode many, many miles on his bike over the 26,000-acre nature preserve on the Berry campus, and occasionally went to class. After a while he decided it was time to try something else.

Ryne left for military life in the U.S. Navy on December 10, 2014, his 22nd birthday. During his tenure in the Navy, Ryne built an assortment of experiences. He completed basic training at Navy’s Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, left for “A” school at the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command in Charleston, South Carolina, and then on to deployment on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Harry S Truman. (He was flown to the Mediterranean Sea in order to join the ship there.) His time on the Truman took him all around the Middle East and parts of Europe. One of his favorite adventures was when the ship docked in Greece, and he was able to see some of the country. Another highlight was being accepted into the “Order of the Blue Nose” when the Truman crossed into the Arctic Circle. The most rewarding experience he had, though, was the wonderful group of friends he made that became his brothers of the heart.

Following his service to the Navy, Ryne returned home and found work with a local young man who became a trusted friend and teacher. He learned many tricks of the trade to fixing a home through this experience. Then Ryne joined the Final Gift family, where he started as a driver. He was quite proud of learning all the new roads he’d never traveled, mastering his van setup, and the catalog of numerous audio books he listened to. Eventually he came to work in the shop and learned many of the in-house operations and, more significantly, the closure and healing that this company brought to many individuals and families. The people that he worked closely with became another part of his family tree.

Interwoven throughout his life was Ryne’s fondness for his Church and Church family. Whenever he was around, he could be counted on to help others. This included things like formally serving on Church boards and committees, helping with annual Family Camp (including performing in entertaining skits!) and the Church Fair, setting up for various events, being a member of the Handbell Choir, and on and on. He wore several hats and was still doing so at the time of his departure. Ryne was an integral part of his dad’s Zoom team. Every Sunday morning, he set up camera and computer gear with his dad at home or in the Sanctuary to host the online services, and often was his father’s rudder when the mornings were a bit hectic. He had many relationships with young and old alike throughout the Church, each filling a different role.This “biography” tells you the book version of his comings and goings. What is difficult to fully relate on paper, though, is the depth and uniqueness of his humor, heart, courage, and stalwartness. His compassion and kindness ran deep. He was a true friend, brother, and son. If you ever needed a hand, he was there. He gave great hugs, could pester you like a mosquito, and comfort you like your favorite blanket. He had a true sense of value and ethics. He was that rare diamond in the rough, and he will be sorely missed.

Donations can be made through the family for a forthcoming memorial fund in Ryne’s name, at the Final Gift Pet Memorial Center (Oxford, CT).

Arrangements for Ryne in Stratford, Connecticut are under the direction of Dennis & D’Arcy – Abriola & Kelemen Funeral Home, 2611 Main St. Stratford. Visiting hours will be held on Friday September 17, 2021 from 4:00 – 7:30 p.m., services will be held on Saturday September 18, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. in the First Congregational Church of Stratford,  2301 Main St. Stratford, Connecticut.