Clifton Morris, Jr. '53
July 26, 1935 - October 15, 2022
Tau brother and 2007 Kappa Sigma Tau Man of the Year Clifton Morris passed away on October 15 at his home in Fort Worth. He was 87 years old.

Clifton founded the nation's first chain of publicly traded used car dealerships, Urcarco, Inc, which he later reinvented as AmeriCredit Corp. Under his leadership, it became one of the largest subprime auto lenders in the country. He remained its board chairman until General Motors acquired it in 2010.

"Everyone liked Clifton," said pledge brother and lifelong friend Mac Thompson. "We first met at a rush party in 1953, pledged Kappa Sig three weeks later, and our bonds of friendship have only grown stronger over the years. His Tau brothers truly loved him, and we will miss him."

Mike Sharpe '79 and Tom Chambers '58, past Tau Men of the Year, attended Clifton's memorial service on October 24 in Fort Worth.

Mike noted the following comments offered by those who spoke about him:

  • He led a deep, richly-lived life.
  • He can be described in three words: Total Bad Ass.
  • He had a wise-cracking grin.
  • He was bilingual, fluent in both English and Profanity!
  • He impacted legions of people and often said, "Friends are the elixir of life."
  • About him, it was said, "Wow, what a ride!"

Clifton is survived by his wife of 39 years, Sheridan Cravens Morris; children, Clifton H. Morris, III, John H. Morris, Robin B. Happel and her husband, Brian, W. Brett Beebe and his wife, Ashley, and Adam J. Beebe and his wife, Brooke; and ten grandchildren.

Read his obituary.
University of Texas Kappa Sigma Tau Intermural Champions
Standing: Bobby Whilden, Bob Thornton, Bill Long, Lynn Carter.
Seated: Joe Russo, Clifton Morris, Peter Gardere, Jack Dulaney, Bobby Applewhite.
Photo shared by Tau brother Joe Russo '53.