Thoughts on Chuck Morris

By Jill Schettler

Perhaps one of Chuck Morris’s most notable traits is his sense of humour – and his name, not to be confused with American movie star and martial artist Chuck Norris.

“My name has always elicited a response from people, sometimes daily,” laughs the good-humoured gentleman. “One day years ago when I had just had my truck fueled, I handed my credit card to the young female who had filled the truck. [My wife] Cheryl was with me at the time, so imagine her surprise and response when as the attendant was heading back to process the credit card, she stopped suddenly and ran back to the truck screaming, ‘Chuck Norris! Chuck Norris!’ We still smile about that one.”

As one-time colleague Peter Orjala, manager of building trades for S.D. No. 35 and vice-president of the EFMA confirms, the aforementioned story epitomizes Morris’s good nature.

“He definitely has a sense of humour, is a fun guy to be around. We got along really well,” confirms Orjala, who had worked with Morris for 15 years at School District No. 35. “He’s very genuine, very conscious, a hard-worker, very organized – an all around good guy.”

Chuck Morris, manager of plant operations and sales for a modular building manufacturing company, is a man of many colours. A child of the ‘50s, Morris prides himself on being an achiever who takes ownership for his responsibilities and actions. Neither Morris nor any of his nine siblings are content to remain status quo.

Working in three school districts afforded Morris the opportunity to visit many areas of the province, thus fueling his passion for photography. In fact, a number of his photos have graced the cover of Ops Talk magazine. As well,

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Morris is an avid writer, as revealed through his very insightful “Thoughts On” Ops Talk editorials. Add to the photographer and writer’s credentials hunting and fishing, as well as a list of past involvements: a volunteer with the crime prevention section of a local RCMP detachment, an RCMP Auxiliary member, a trained provincial firearms instructor (side arms), and past president of the Auxiliary and Reserve Peace Office Association – a resume that reads much like that of his Hollywood kin.

Morris has spent the majority of his life in B.C., aside from an 11-year stint in Manitoba, where he garnered his interprovincial Red Seal, met and married “a great Ukrainian gal” and had two children. After governmental changes and multiple layoffs, Morris, with family in tow, trekked back to his home province, where he spent the next 30 years working for the public education system in facilities.

As Orjala continues, everything just went smoothly around Morris, and his

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“He’s got a real passion, without a doubt. I was behind him 100 per cent. Chuck paved the way for people being promoted from within (at the school district). He led the path for some of the other fellows; I myself did the same thing,” says Orjala, who notes Morris’s mentoring abilities are unmatchable.

Not until recently did Morris make the switch into the private sector with his current position at the modular manufacturing company – a business that builds classrooms, offices, schools, camps, and anything modular for the commercial, industrial and institutional sectors. It was a decision that Morris says encouraged personal growth.

“I believe in life-long learning – not just in academics, but in anything that affects my work, my personal life, and that of family and friends,” says Morris. “I was not content to hold only the Red Seal certification, so I took on other challenges that in some cases were offshoots of my trade.”

“I firmly believe if one seeks out information pertinent to their goals and operation and continues to learn and practice, when something happens you should be able to respond in a reasoned fashion that allows a rapid response. The busier I become the more I like it, as it means I need to operate at a higher level… at times near a frenetic pace!”

Within the school districts Morris worked to show what could be done outside of the normal process; his seven years with SPOA (now the EFMA) are another prime example. Of his time with the organization, Morris has many blissful memories.

“SPOA was an opportunity to offer my talents to the organization and to meet and learn more about it, the members, and about me,” shares Morris. “I absolutely enjoyed my time as a director and then as a table officer. I feel I was able to learn, lead, and leave something behind after my tenure as president. The appreciation shown me by my peers certainly

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