PUEBLO, Colo. – Morris Burton Chambers, 83, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2012.

He was born on Dec. 6, 1929, at Fort Scott to Warren and Frances (Crabb) Chambers. They lived in Hepler before moving to Girard in 1946. He graduated from Girard High School. He attended Pittsburg State Teachers College (PSU) until the Korean War began. Enlisting in the Air Force, he was trained in cryptography and served mostly in Nigata, Japan. He later graduated from the University of Missouri with a bachelor of arts in business administration. He began his financial career with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC), 10th District, in Kansas City, Mo., then became supervising examiner over the Columbus, Neb., district.

His independent banking career began as cashier of the Columbus (Neb.) State Bank. He became president of the McCune State Bank and also served on the board of the State Bank of Parsons.

He chose to locate to Pueblo, Colo., with his family in 1976, assuming a vice president position at United Bank of Pueblo. In the early 1980s, he became president of the Greenhorn Valley Bank in Colorado City, Colo., whereupon he retired in 1997.

Morris was involved in various organizations: the Lions Club, Pueblo Economic Development Corp. (where he was instrumental in bringing Columbia Records Warehouse to Colorado City). He served on the board of the Southern Colorado Economic Development District and within his church. Post-retirement involved serving on the board of the Salvation Army in Pueblo, Colo.

Morris developed a love for flying early on after a ride in a barnstormer in Hepler. Many weekends would find him firing up his Cessna Skylane to have some time in the air and a bite of homemade pie at the airports. He flew numerous times for the Crippled Children’s Penny-A-Pound events at the Pueblo Airport.

His survivors include his wife of 56 years, Barbara; his daughters and sons-in-law, Kathryn Alice and William McAuliffe (Timothy and Benjamin), Ann Marie and Alan Nelms (Erica, Brianne and Gabrielle), Elizabeth Rachael and Brian Carty (Lisette and Alexander); and his sister, Rachael Alice Chambers of Prairie Village.

Cremation has taken place and inurnment will be during a private family service.

Memorials are suggested to the McCune Lions Club, 876 S. 30th St., McCune, KS, 66753.