Dr. John Wilson Morley

Dr. John Wilson Morley departed this life on May 16, 2025, in Great Falls, Virginia, just shy of his 97th birthday. John was predeceased by his parents, John Joseph and “Minnie” Morley, wife Dr. Emily Morley, and brother Dr. Malcolm Morley and wife Lonnie. He is survived by his brother Dr. Selwyn Morley, his son John (Martha) and their children, Soeurette (Matt), Charlotte, Virginia, and John Jr, daughter Susan Olson (Eric) and their sons Russell (Tazi) and William. He is also survived by three great grandchildren Harper, John Joseph “Jack”, and Lucy as well as three nieces (Kirsten, Alison and Gretchen), a nephew (Robert) and their families.

John was born May 27, 1928, in Houghton Le Spring near Durham England, where the Morley family traces its lineage to the 17th century. Upon graduation from sixth form secondary school in 1945, he was drafted into the RAF for assignment over Europe, but WW II ended before he was deployed. Here began a career in medicine where his two brothers followed, when he was accepted to Edinburgh Medical School. Upon graduation he did a year of residency in White Plains NY as a Fulbright Scholar, which set a path for him to eventually be a US citizen.

Upon return to the UK, he fulfilled his military requirement as a Lieutenant in the Royal Medical Corp, serving for two years in Singapore and Hong Kong as the only doctor for a full battalion. From there he finished his residency at Sunderland General Hospital where he met his bride, Emily Mochrie, whom he was married to for 60 years before her passing in 2018. Together they emigrated to the US in 1958, first settling in Pinehurst NC where both practiced medicine, before moving to Richmond Va where they worked and lived for the remainder of their lives.

Dr. Morley was a pulmonologist with McGuire VA hospital for over 25 years, while also acting as a Teaching Fellow at the Medical College of Virginia.

Upon retirement, John and Emily enjoyed spending time with their friends, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren at their homes on the NC coast and Blue Ridge Mountains, as well as countless trips, sporting events, school activities, and being supportive in any way they could. Their patience, wisdom, character and humility were the best role models that could have been provided.

For John it was a life well lived, and he will be dearly missed by those he was close to.

The family would like to acknowledge all the caring staff at Brightview Great Falls.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to either the Richmond Children’s Hospital or Colonial Williamsburg Foundations.

Private burial in Hollywood Cemetery where he will be laid to rest with his beloved Emily.