In Memory of Jeff Morelock

Holly Vincent
Monday, February 15, 2021 12:00 AM
Employees, Community

Dear Cleveland State family members,

This weekend we learned that we lost a dear friend of Cleveland State Community College.  Mr. Jeff Morelock was an outstanding community leader and volunteer.  We were honored for his long service to the CSCC Foundation Board of Trustees (1980-2018).  He served as President of the Board from 2002-2004.

Jeff was a native of Cleveland, Tennessee and a 1964 Bradley High School graduate. Shortly after earning his Bachelor’s degree in math from the University of Georgia in 1969, he joined the Army and was deployed to Thailand where he served at the U.S. Air Force base during the Vietnam War.  Jeff worked in the insurance business for many years. Although semi-retired in recent years, Jeff was proud that his family name continued with his son, Davis Morelock, now serving as co-owner of Insurance Incorporated.

Jeff was a role-model for servant leadership.  His volunteerism included service on the Board of the Boys and Girls Club of Cleveland, having served in the past as Chief Volunteer Officer. He was Chair of  the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland and also served on the Board of United Way of the Ocoee Region. Jeff was also past Chairman of the Bradley Cleveland Chamber of Commerce and past President of the Board of Directors of the Cleveland Bradley Business Incubator.  Jeff also served with distinction as a Bradley County Commissioner.

In addition to his service as a Trustee, Jeff and his family were among the most generous donors to the College.  Jeff believed strongly in our mission.  This motivated him to give of his time as well as his resources.  He established the Ann Morelock Memorial Scholarship in memory of his first wife, as well as an endowment supported by Insurance Incorporated.  Jeff was also responsible for establishing the Faculty Development Fund at the College.

More recently, Jeff served as Chair of the successful Community First Capital Campaign.  This campaign raised over $2.5M enabling the College to fulfill its match requirement for the $25M State of Tennessee grant to build our new Health & Science Center and renovate the Mary T. Barker Humanities Building.

In 2020, Jeff was recognized for his outstanding service to Cleveland State as a recipient of the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Philanthropy.  Jeff was a very humble man and preferred not to receive public recognition for his good works.  The ceremony was held privately through a live online meeting with Jeff and his family, Chancellor Flora Tydings, Cleveland State Leadership and Foundation members.

We are proud that Jeff’s legacy lives on at Cleveland State.  Davis Morelock was elected to the CSCC Foundation Board of Trustees this past Fall.  Soon thereafter, Davis, his family and Insurance Incorporated established the Jeff Morelock Scholarship Fund in honor of his father.

Most importantly, Jeff was a loving husband to Kathy, father to Davis and Kate Kerley and grandfather to Emma Ann and Jefferson Morelock, and Lillie Kerley.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you and everyone who loved our dear friend Jeff.